OPERATION: Poisson Rouge

Home Sweet Home Survey Results Part 2

2010-06-06T03:52:00.000-04:00

Q: Your space, your thoughts
Winning Answer: All of them
A: Everyone did there unique version of Thank You Ken and Cindy. Normally I don't print these but these were so touching...

Bill says:

"Mike & Maureen have raised three great kids. They are fun, happy, obedient, respectful and helpful. They were so easy to spend time with and take care of. Except for not driving, I think the kids are so good they could have watched themselves for the week.

I was surprised at how helpful my Droid was during the week. I would have gotten lost many times without it. And it helped me find Andy at MayFair.

I was also surprised at the parents of the kids' friends who let me pick up their children without meeting me, speaking to me or seeing me.

It was a really fun week. I hope you all had as much fun on the trip as I did in Macungie."

Cyn says:

"Woman of little words has no thoughts :-)"

Dad says:

"Aside from getting married and having three wonderful children (Cyn & Mo also included here), this cruise adventure ranks as one of the most memorable family celebrations ever.

We cannot thank you all enough."

Karen says:

Dear Ken & Cindy,

I had a wonderful and magical time with my dear family and the Mediterranean cruise is a journey I will treasure always. Thank you Ken and Cindy, for giving me the chance of a lifetime to actually see and visit places I once only dreamed about or read about in books. I kept a lot inside on the trip - and again, I will call you this week with an update - but being with the ones I love, I put my problems and trouble behind, if only for a while, and I treasured every moment ; it was refreshing and exciting and it has given me strength to face whatever lies ahead. It may be a while before I get a chance to write something in the blog, at least publicly, as I have some serious legal issues to deal with but I hope to contribute again as soon as the dust settles. Thanks again Ken & Cindy - your generosity and love is a brilliant light and I am blessed to have been touched by it. I love you both very much~

Karen

Ken says:

very nice

Mike says:

Oooooo... Wow... Thanks again Ken and Cindy!!! So very generous, with memories that will last a lifetime!

Mo says:

Thank you Ken & Cindy!!! Awesome idea and loved it all. Keep daydreaming about the sights we saw and the experiences we had. We are truly grateful for the experience and can't tell you how much we appreciate it. It's still a 'pinch me' feeling. Still can't beleive we were in Europe!! Gotta go back. Would love to show the kids. Would have to spend weeks showing them everything.

Mom says:

It was a great trip Ken and Cindy thanks to your generosity. We will cherish the memories forever. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Did we go to Europe yet?

P.S. I gained 3 pounds. BooooHoooo."

Ken and Cyn say:

Ken and I are very happy that we were in a position to afford the cruise but we know that the monetary aspect is truly of little consequence. What is truly important is that we could and we all wanted to spend time together. The time we spent together and the memories that we made are priceless.

Home Sweet Home Survey Results Part 1

2010-06-05T07:57:00.000-04:00

As nice as life was on the Voyager of the Seas it is good to get back to our normal lives. So what was it like to get back home for you...

Shown below is the "winning" answer(s) and then everyone's answer. The winning answer is arbirtartily decided by me for reasons only known by me. I've decided to post everyones response; let me know if you like this format.

It has finally happened and it proves that good things come to those that wait. Our survey this week was answered by a non OPERATION: Poisson Rouge contributor; Bill of the Bill and Ed team of South Bound Brook NJ responded. Thanks for responding Bill.

Q: What was the best thing about being home?
Winning Answer - Everyone!
Bill: being with Ed again
Cyn: Getting head butts from Whitey, having Farah camped out on my lap this morning, and a cup of hot coffee
Dad: Being home.
Karen: ...exactly that - being home..
Ken: Sleep
Mike: Seeing my kids! (Well, 2 of them. sam is at a sleep over.)
Mo: Kids & Pillow
Mom: Seeing my animals.

Q: What time did you go to bed Sunday evening?
Winning Answer - Michael: 0:00:00
Bill: 0:04:00
Cyn: Our plan was to go to bed about 9PM. We made it until 7:30.
Dad: ~3:30 AM (their time)
Karen: I believe I passed out at about 11 PM...it's really all a blur...
Ken: 7pm
Mo: 10:30?
Mom: 10 pm our time.
Author interjects - isn't it something Dad answers their time and Mom answers our time?

Q: What time did you wake up Monday morning?
Winning Answer - Mo: 6:10:00
Bill: 7:15
Cyn: About 5AM
Dad: ~4:30 AM (our time)
Karen: Woke up (WIDE AWAKE) at 5:30 AM - was bummed I couldn't go back to sleep
Ken: waokeup=4am, getup=545am
Mike: 4:30
Mom: 7 am our time
Author interjects - honorable mention goes to Ken who was obviously still struggling to wake up when answering survey.

Q: Did you watch the Lost finale yet?
A: Everyone watched the Lost finale except for Karen, Mo*, Mom and Dad. *Mo watched the finale but dozed off multiple times. Not sure if that counts!
Q: What did you think of the Lost finale?
A: Those that watched the finale thought it was so so.
Bill: Never saw the show before but loved watching Samantha react to it

Q: Did anything eventful happen in your absence?
Winner: Mike and Mo - see their answers below
Bill: new bedroom rug arrived
Cyn: Unfortunately my sister-in-laws' mom has a re-occurence of brest cancer. Say a prayer, send good thoughts!
Dad: Ant infestation in kitchen
Ken: Freezer frost
Mike: Billy and Ed redecorated our living room. New pictures onthe walls, furniture arranged differently, new desk for Mo's computer, pantry and kitchen drawers have organizers.
Mo: living room makeover, pantry organized, kitchen drawers organized, laundry new shelf and organized, new desk in dining room so now my dining room table is clear of 'stuff', more stuff to take to Goodwill, a framed new piece of artwork by Sam in the living room
Mom: I came home to a clean house. bless the Dickster.

Q: Anything surprise you?
Bill: there is always something to do with kids around
Cyn: BP oil leak still well, leaking
Dad: Dick M was able to get rid of ants
Ken: entire trip went smoothly (almost), no events at home
Mike: No (incuding the Billy and Ed remodeling)
Mo: all the work Billy did improving our place -- with the kids help
Mom: No.

Q: Now with the cruise behind us what are you looking forward to?
Bill: Getting back to my life with Ed
Cyn: I would like to train for a 5K.
Dad: June Fishing camping trip, July birthday celebration here, August Cape May camping
Ken: work, routine, summer, looking forwards to the year
Mike: Finish editing 'The Interview' with Nana and Pop-pop. 4th Annual RV fishing trip with Pop-pop and my boys. Wildwood, with the Bischers.
Mo: Returning!
Mom: Camping in Cape May and maybe Maine in September.

The last question of the survey is the "typical" open ended question where you write about anything that you want. The answers ranged from funny to touching so come back to the blog tomorrow.

Home Sweet Home

2010-05-31T06:32:00.002-04:00

Ken and I are very gratful that by and large the OPERATION: Poisson Rouge adventure went off without a hitch (but stayed tuned for a blog entry by Karen if she feels up to it).

Oooooo... Wow...

2010-05-31T05:31:00.007-04:00

We've come full circle:

Back from the Journey!!

Hello to all! We are all back, alive, and well, and all the richer from the adventure we shared. Over the next few weeks, (on no particular schedule) you can expect to read about some of the highlights from the great European Adventure we dubbed OPERATION: Poisson Rouge.

You will hear about:

JJ - (Ooooo... Wow...)
The Ken-isms (well, some of them at least)
Bucket lists, favorites, and surprises
Bruno, Clever, Linda, and more!
Mo-Scursions
Ninja Ken (pictured below)
Mur see bow coo, y'all!
Billy's 'While you were out' living room makeover
And dozens and dozens of other stories and memories.

...oh yeah. There may be a few pictures, too.

Hey, it's what I do...

A few stats:

I'm really not ready to write up anything substantial for the blog right now, so why am I writing this at all? Let me explain.

Mo and I awoke on Sunday morning at 5:30 am "their time" and arrived at our house at 4:30 pm "our time" - 17 hours door-to-door.

We stayed up Sunday night until 12:00 am "our time" (6:00 am Monday morning "their time") we talked with Billy an the kids, put away a few tings, and sat down to watch the 'LOST!' finale) - 24.5 hours of awake time.
It is currently 4:30 am "our time" (10:30 am "their time") but because I woke up with a cough (nothing major, probably just swallowed my own spit wrong during the night) and the fact that it is already 10:30 am "their time" (we would have been up for four hours over there by now, and well into a Mo-scursion), I am wide awake, and writing a blog. - 4 hours sleep after 24 hours awake.

Hmmmm... As I get ready to hit the "Post" button on this blog entry, I realize that an hour has passed... Its 5:30 am, or 11:30 am. I don't remember the last time I coughed. Time to go back to bed. But before I go:

----------

What did he just say?!?!
Ken-ism #16:

"I have no general knowledge.

I have only very specific knowledge."

----------

Thanks again, Ken and Cindy,

and Happy 50th, Nana and Pop-Pop!

We're sorry we can't come to the blog right now, but if you leave your name...

2010-05-23T00:00:00.002-04:00

We're sorry we can't come to the blog right now, but if you leave your name...

196 days ago, the adventure began. But only now have we actually set foot on European soil and begun our great adventure.

While we are away, have some fun parking Voyager of the Seas. (But please take it easy... We haven't quite gotten our sea legs, yet!)

0 more days!!!

2010-05-22T00:00:00.022-04:00

The Finance Report:

PAYDAY!!!

What a way to go! The $US dropped a wee bit from last week, but still finished incredibly strong, gaining a whopping 19% from when we first began tracking it in November 2009. It is no surprise at this point, but huge congratulations are in order for Mo 'Index Card' Lang as she handily walks away with the 1 EU prize.

One last note. Converting euros to dollars will be rather simple on this cruise... A euro is currently $1.25. Viola!

CONGRATULATIONS MO!

OUR EURO CONTEST WINNER!!!

Thanks to everyone who played, or followed along in the fun!

______________________________

The Web Report:

The final stats are in, and we had quite a ride.

NEW VISITORS:
   o We averaged 11 new vistors each day.
   o We had a record 42 new visitors on February 22, 2010.
   o (Click here to see what we were blogging about that week)

DAILY VISITS:
   o We averaged 64 unique vistors each day.
   o We had a record 270 unique visitors on April 2, 2010.
   o (Click here to see what we were blogging about that week)

COUNTRIES:
o We were visited by 66 countries.

...and we had a lot of fun along the way.

_______________________________________________

Nana on the Titanic:

39,377 Views!

For a while there it appeared that Mo might walk away with all of the big prizes, but not only did Karen swoop in to take this one, she did it with uncanny accuracy. Karen came within 46 views!!!

In fact, the judges in their utter amazement have decided this must result in some special rules to be called. As a result, a 10% BONUS has been added to this pot, meaning Karen has won 1.1 EU for her effort. Great job, Karen!!!.

Mo - 40,356

Karen - 39,423 - WINNER!!!
(Currently - 39,377)

Old Folks - 38,848
Mike - 36,368
Cyn - 35,112

_______________________________________________

Postcards:

Ya snooze, ya lose!

Free postcards will be sent to these lucky winners! Thanks for playing!

Postcard #1: One Million Postcards

Postcard #2: Pope Benny
Postcard #3: Aunty E!

_______________________________________________

NO MORE DAYS!!!

But be sure to come back in the coming days for a few more surprises. You'll find something to pass the time while we are away, you'll see plenty of content when we return from our trip, and I would not be at all surprised if our Cruisemistress managed to post a few updates while we are away.

THANKS AGAIN TO KEN AND CINDY!!!

1 more day...

2010-05-21T04:15:00.003-04:00

OMG, OMG, we are so almost on our way. Hard to believe. Me and my OCDness had a fun week. See what I've been doing.

I have been tracking arrival times of our flight throughout the week.

Saturday - Fight arrived 16 minutes early
Sunday - Fight arrived 22 minutes early
Monday - Flight arrived on time
Tuesday - Flight arrived 12 minutes late
Wednesday - Flight arrived 14 minutes late
Thursday - Flight arrived 41 minutes late due to delayed cargo loading.
I checked our flight on Saturday (I could do that even though it is only Thursday and as of right now our flight is on time!).

I have been tracking Mount Heartburn as well...

Saturday - headline read Iceland Volcano Eyjafjallajökull Is Back, More Flight Bans Feared in the Days to Come but Barcelona airport unaffected.
Sunday - headline read Northern Ireland and Scottish Airports Closed Because of the Return of the Volcanic Ash Cloud but Barcelona airport unaffected
Monday - headline read The Volcanic Ash Cloud Keeps Many European Airports Closed but Barcelona airport still unaffected
Tuesday - headline read Clear Skies Over Europe, as Winds Clean up UK’s Airspace of Volcanic Ash Cloud Barcelona

Wednesday - no new news coverage
Thursday - no new news coverage and you know what they say...no news is good news

I have been tracking the shopping habits of the North American West Orange-its and found the following:
Saturday - local woman purchases digital camera after much agony
Sunday - local woman purchases comfortable shoes, process causes much pain
Monday, Tuesday - all quiet on the front
Wednesday - locals converge on dry cleaners and woman receives digital camera and hands it over to local man for construction
Thursday - local woman takes back digital camera and pretends to take pictures of local man. Local man deletes photos and takes pictures of local cat (Goodie)
Friday - locals take off from work to perform last minute tasks, local man goes to mall (why do today what can be done tomorrow) in search of comfortable shoes and dress shirts

Who is vacationing this week in the French Riveria you ask?

Saturday - 63rd Cannes Film Festival -12 May to 23 May 2010
Ridley Scott's Robin Hood with Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett opens the festival.
Tuesday - Rumors abound about America's newest darlings making an appearance in Cannes or possibly the on the Promenade des Anglais.
Thursday - Cate Blanchett shares a bottle of wine with local man while local woman consoles Russell Crowe over recent news stories abound about Crowes Irish accent.

Finally, I've been checking out the weather in Italy and France. Earlier in the week I would have said "don't shoot the messenger" but the weather has cleared up and seems quite pleasant.

23-May Barcelona, Spain Sun: Sunny with a low of 57 and a high of 74. 0% chance of precipitation

24-May Cruising Cruising Mon: ?
25-May Naples, Capri, Italy Tues: Partially sunny with a low of 60 and a high of 72. 10% chance of precipitation
26-May Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy Wed: Partially sunny with a low of 56 and a high of 72. 20% chance of precipitation
27-May Livorno (Florence/Pisa), Italy Thurs: Partially sunny with a low of 57 and a high of 72. 20% chance of precipitation
28-May Villefranche (Nice), France Fri: Partially sunny with a low of 54 and a high of 69. 20% chance of precipitation
29-May Provence (Toulon), France Sat: Partially sunny with a low of 54 and a high of 72. 0% chance of precipitation

Rain or shine let's make the most of this time together.

2 more days....

2010-05-20T00:00:00.001-04:00

Desynchronosis!!

It is possible to minimize the effects of jet lag by following some basic steps before, during, and after the flight.

Before the flight
People are advised to get plenty of rest, exercise and follow a healthy diet. When the person is in good shape, it is easier to cope after landing.

During the flight
Long flights are dehydrating. Ask for "two orange juices with no ice" on the flight. Eat lightly, stay hydrated, and have no coffee and only minimal sugar until the flight's almost over. Alcohol and sedatives will stress your body and aggravate jet lag.

Avoid the slight chance of getting a blood clot in your leg during long flights by taking short walks hourly. While seated, flex your ankles and don't cross your legs. Some people are more prone to clots (factors include obesity, age, use of oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy, pregnancy, smoking, or genetics).

The in-flight movies are good for one thing — nap time. With two or three hours' sleep during the transatlantic flight, you'll be functional the day you land.

Passengers are encouraged to exercise legs while sitting and move around the plane when the seat belt sign is switched off, every hour or two.

And, finally, adjust sleeping hours on the plane to match the destination time.

Upon arrival
A helpful way to minimize the jet lag is to adapt to the local time and eat accordingly, following the meals that correspond. Also, exposure to sunlight during the day is helpful. On arrival, stay awake until an early local bedtime. If you doze off at 4 p.m. and wake up at midnight, you've accomplished nothing. Plan a good walk until early evening. Jet lag hates fresh air, daylight, and exercise. Your body may beg for sleep, but stand firm: Refuse. Force your body's transition to the local time. You'll probably awaken very early on your first morning. Trying to sleep later is normally futile. Get out and enjoy a "pinch me, I'm cruising the Mediterranean" walk, as the ship slowly comes to life. This will probably be the only sunrise you'll see in Europe.

3 more days...

2010-05-19T00:01:00.008-04:00

At this point, who cares about
the volcano or the weather
or the rate of the Euro...

WE'RE GOING ON A CRUISE
TO THE MEDITERRANEAN!

Thanks Ken & Cindy!

We're All Going To
Cruise Along & Enjoy!

4 more days...

2010-05-18T00:00:00.034-04:00

Time passes quickly!
Another look back...

Cruisemistress Cindy recently asked if I would update the slideshow near the end of the blog, which I am glad to do. There are now only 4 days left until this great adventure begins. The time has almost come.

CLICK HERE to see the slideshow Full Screen

As we all know, this is just an appetizer, or a "coming attractions" of sorts. Imagine what the real world will be like!

Thanks again to Cruisemaster Ken
and Cruisemistress Cindy!

4 more days!

5 more days...

2010-05-17T00:00:00.010-04:00

The Finance Report:

Off the Chart!!!

What a way to go! It had been a real nail-biter for most of this contest in which almost everyone was in the running for some length of the time. It turned into a fierce battle between two strong competitors, and a storybook ending in which we all live happily ever after. This was well worth the Euro prize for me! So, is this it? Are there any more surprises in store with just under a week to go? Stay tuned to find out.

CONTEST UPDATE:

We have lift off!

Mo is running away with it!

The winner of our contest (Grand Prize = 1 euro!) will be the one with the closest guess on May 21st, 2010.

______________________________

THE WEB REPORT:

66 Countries...

I went and tallied the votes... I got nothin' for ya. Head back to camp.

_______________________________________________

Nana on the Titanic:

36,938 Views!

While Mike is currently the closest contestant in the great 'Views of Nana on the Titanic on YouTube' race, one thing is for sure... He will NOT be the winner. Much like the $US, Nana's popularity is on a rocket. This contest ends 5/21/2010. Whomever bet the closest will claim a one Euro prize for their efforts.

Mo - 40,356

Karen - 39,423

Old Folks - 38,848

(Currently - 36,938)

Mike - 36,368

Cyn - 35,112

_______________________________________________

Postcards:

LAST CALL!

Our offer remains open to anyone in the world who wants to receive a postcard from the cast of Operation: Poisson Rouge during our European adventure. Please click on the 'contact me' button below, and make your request. There are 3 more postcards requests available.

Postcard #1: One Million Postcards

Postcard #2: Pope Benedict

Postcard #3, #4, #5: Still available

_______________________________________________

Just a little bit longer...

5 MORE DAYS!!!

6 more days...

2010-05-16T00:00:00.000-04:00

Click here for the latest news

*********************************

Tune in on Wednesday for the pre-departure update on volcanic activity in Iceland and if it will impact our flight to Barcelona!

Click Here for Rome 10 day weather forecast

Cruise along and (try to) enjoy!...^_~

Karen

7 more days...

2010-05-15T01:56:00.094-04:00

In a stunning turn of events...fraught with mystery and intrigue...And our leading story tonight...woman breaks arm, foils family vacation*.

This is the last full weekend before our departure to Europe. What will you be doing? Do you have Gazillions To Dos or just Odds and Ends. Almost 100% of the Lang Clan said that they only have odds and ends left. I pity the poor person who said they have a Gazillion To Dos. Psyche! Most have a Gazillion (how many is that in Euros?) things to do followed by Not Much! You retired folks make us working stiffs look bad!

But we pretty much agree that we are silly/stupid/dumb to get any Euros in the USA before our trip. Mike of course is yielding to Mo on this one.

*Some of the best quotes came from the question asking if anything could make this experience better.

- Mom goes for the heartfelt answer "with Tootie"

- Ken the ever cautions, chants "No jinx, no jinx"

- And Karen replied "The experience would be better if I don't have to get a hard cast - will see this AM at 11 - hope the orthopedic Dr. just gives me a sling/air cast and some mild pain meds...I know...terrible timing! "

And to Karen's reply I said "watcha talking bout Willis?" and then called Mom and Dad. For many days Karen was having pain and tingling in her arm. Looking at possible causes was a little scary, what could it be? And then Karen remembered bumping her elbow/arm. An x-ray later the doctor says Karen has a slight fracture, she should take a Advil, go on the cruise and then the doctor charges Karen's insurance a ton [sorry that was projection].

Everyone please meet Kitty Karen (happily not at the Kitty Sanctuary). Please note, poor Karen did not get any happy pills. Feel better Karen - we love ya.

Looking forward to seeing you all at our house! Be safe! Be happy!

8 more days...

2010-05-14T01:55:00.058-04:00

Cruising with Cyn Collection of useless information circuitous to the OPERATION: Poisson Rouge Adventure.

Provence is the last stop on our European adventure. Collective sigh on 3, 1....2...3.

This day next week, I will be [hopefully] completely last minute packing. What will you be doing next Friday?

Ships, ships and more ships. Toulon is France's exciting naval epicenter. Bobbing sailboats dot its busy harbor. On land you'll find tons of maritime museums, ancient fortresses and a fair share of sailors. And in true French fashion you'll also find plenty of stylish spots for shopping and lunching. But what really makes this seaport so special is its proximity to glitzy Saint-Tropez and the Côte d'Azur.

The One Thing You Don't Want to Miss
If you're looking for the perfect photo op, take a cable car to the peak of Mont Faron. After you've soaked up the scenery, visit the Mémorial du Débarquement en Provence, a museum that houses an interesting collection of World War II memorabilia.

Other Fun Things to Do
Catch some Mediterranean sunshine at Plage du Morillon - the seaport's most popular beach. Pop into the Musée de Toulon and ogle its vast collection of Provençal, Italian and religious masterpieces from the 16th century to the present. Take a boat tour around the harbor.

Shopping For Bargains There are plenty of places to shop for designer fashions, fine jewelry and French perfume. You'll even find a three-story mall that has just about everything, including a supermarket and a movie theater.

Blah, Blah, Blah, onto the survey.

See ya fine folks in Provence.

9 more days...

2010-05-13T00:00:00.002-04:00

Toilets, Tipping, and Customs

All toilets are not alike:

Most European toilets are similar to our own, but some consist of porcelain footprints and a squat-and-aim hole. Most people in the world sit on their haunches. Our need to sit on a throne is in the minority. Toilet paper is another Western "essential". If wastebaskets are full of dirty paper, leave yours there too. The plumbing may be frail. While WC's have improved in Western Europe, it's wise to carry pocket-size tissue packs which are easy to buy in Europe (wonder why).

Finding a decent public toilet

Restaurants -- Any place that serves food or drinks has a rest room. They may not be labelled so you can see it from the street, but you can easily walk into nearly any restaurant or cafe, politely and confidently, and find a bathroom. Assume it's in the back and either upstairs or downstairs. It's easiest in a large place that has outdoor seating. Waiters will think you are a customer making a quick trip inside. If you feel like it, ask permission. Just smile, "Toilet?" Fast food places are very common and always have a decent rest room.

Public Buildings -- Train stations, government buildings, and upper floors of department stores. Parks often have rest rooms, but be wary and hold your nose. Never leave a museum without taking advantage of its rest rooms -- free and clean. Large, classy, old hotel lobbies -- you'll always find a nice bathroom and plenty of soft TP.

Coin-op Toilets on the Street -- Some large cities are dotted with coin-operated telephone booth WC's on street corners. Insert a coin, the door opens, and you have 15 minutes of toilet accompanied by Muzak. When you leave it disinfects itself.

Trains -- Use the free toilets on the train rather than those in the station to save time and money. Toilets on first-class cars are a cut above second-class toilets. "go" first class even with a second-class ticket. Train toilets are located on the ends of cars, where it's most jiggly. Some toilets empty directly on the tracks. Never use a train's WC while stopped in a station (unless you didn't like that particular town). A train's WC cleanliness deteriorates as the journey progresses.

The Flush -- After you've found and used a toilet, you're down to your last challenge — flushing it. Rarely will you encounter a familiar handle. Find some protuberance and push, pull, twist, squeeze, stomp, or pray to it until the water starts. Automatic urinals, sinks, and hand dryers are increasingly common.

The Tip -- Paying to use a public WC is a European custom that irks many Americans. But isn't it really worth a few coins, considering the cost of water, maintenance, and cleanliness? And you're probably in no state to argue, anyway. Sometimes the toilet is free, but the woman in the corner sells sheets of toilet paper. Most common is the tip dish by the entry. The local equivalent of about 25 cents is plenty. Caution: Many attendant ladies leave only bills and too-big coins in the tray to bewilder the full-bladdered tourist. The keepers of Europe's public toilets have earned a reputation for crabbiness. You'd be crabby, too, if you lived under the street in a room full of public toilets. Humor them, understand them, and carry some change so you can leave them a coin or two.

Women in the Men's Room -- The women who inhabit Europe's WCs are a popular topic of conversation. Sooner or later you'll be minding your own business at the urinal and the lady will bring you your change or sweep under your feet. Yes, it is distracting, but you'll just have to get used to it — she has.

Tipping

Tipping in Europe isn't as automatic and generous as it is in the US — but for special service, tips are appreciated, if not expected. As in the US, the proper amount depends on your resources, tipping philosophy, and the circumstance. Some general guidelines apply:

Tipping in Restaurants

Restaurant tips are more modest in Europe than in America. In most places, 10 percent is a big tip. If your bucks talk at home, muzzle them on your travels. As a matter of principle, if not economy, the local price should prevail. Tipping 15 or 20 percent in Europe is unnecessary, if not culturally insensitive.

Tipping is an issue only at restaurants that have waiters and waitresses. If you order your food at a counter (in a pub, for example), don't tip.

At table-service restaurants, the tipping etiquette and procedure varies slightly from country to country. But in general, European servers are well-paid, and tips are considered a small "bonus" — to reward great service, or for simplicity in rounding the total bill to a convenient number. In most countries, 5 percent is adequate, 10 verges on excessive, and 15 or 20 percent is unheard-of.

In Mediterranean countries, the "service charge" servizio in Italian, service in French, servicio in Spanish) — usually figured at 10 or 15 percent of your total bill — can be handled in different ways. Sometimes the menu will note that the service is included (e.g., servizio incluso), meaning that the prices listed in the menu already have this charge built in. In other cases, the service might show up as a separate line item at the end of your bill. (In this case, in Italy, the menu might say servizio non incluso — meaning the individual prices don't include service.) Fixed-price tourist deals (a.k.a. menu) include service.

In Northern and Eastern Europe, the menu or bill is less likely to address the "service charge," but you can usually assume that it's included in the prices.
Virtually anywhere in Europe, you can do as the Europeans do and (if you're pleased with the service) round up a euro or two. This can vary a bit. For example, a 10 percent tip is expected in Hungary. And in very touristy areas, some servers have noticed the American obsession with overtipping — and might hope for a Yankee-size tip. But the good news is that European servers and diners are far more laid-back about all this than we are. Any tip is appreciated, the stakes are low, and it's no big deal if you choose the "wrong" amount.

Typically, it's better to hand the tip to the waiter when you're paying your bill than to leave it on the table, particularly in busy places where the wrong party might pocket the change. In Germanic countries, rather than physically leaving a tip on the table, it's considered discreet and classy to say the total number of euros you'd like the waiter to keep (including his tip) when paying. So, if the bill is €42, hand him €50 while saying, "45." You'll get €5 back and feel pretty European. In most of Europe, servers prefer to be tipped in cash even if you pay with your credit card. (Otherwise the tip may never reach your server.)

Taxis
To tip the cabbie, round up. For a typical ride, round up about 5–10 percent (to pay a €4.50 fare, give €5; for a €28 fare, give €30). If the cabbie hauls your bags and zips you to the airport to help you catch your flight, you might want to toss in a little more. But if you feel like you're being driven in circles or otherwise ripped off, skip the tip.

Special Services
It's thoughtful to tip a couple of euros to someone who shows you a special sight and who is paid in no other way. Tour guides at public sights often hold out their hands for tips after they give their spiel; if you've already paid for the tour, don't tip extra unless you're really impressed (€1–2). At hotels, porters expect a euro for each bag they carry (another reason to pack light). Leaving the maid a euro per overnight at the end of your stay is a nice touch. In general, if someone in the service industry does a super job for you, a tip of a couple of euros is appropriate...but not required.

When in doubt, ask. If you're not sure whether (or how much) to tip for a service, ask the TI; they'll fill you in on how it's done on their turf.

Customs
Europeans do many things differently from the way we do. Simple as these things are, they can be frustrating barriers and cause needless, occasionally serious problems.

Numbers
A European's handwritten numbers look different from ours. The 1s have an upswing. The number 4 often looks like a short lightning bolt. If you don't cross your 7, it may be mistaken as a sloppy 1, and you could miss your train (and be mad at the French for "refusing to speak English"). Avoid using "#" for "number" — it's not common in Europe.

Counting
When counting with your fingers, start with your thumb. If you hold up your first finger, you'll probably get two; and making a "peace" sign to indicate the number two may get you three — or a punch in the nose in parts of Britain, where it's an obscene gesture. Or you get three bacon!

Dates and Decimals
Europeans reverse the day and month in numbered dates. Christmas is 25-12-07 instead of 12-25-07, as we would write it. Commas are decimal points and decimals commas, so a dollar and a half is 1,50 and there are 5.280 feet in a mile.

Time
The 24-hour clock is used in any official timetable. This includes bus, train, and tour schedules. Learn to use it quickly and easily. Everything is the same until 12:00 noon. Then, instead of starting over again at 1:00 p.m., the Europeans keep on going — 13:00, 14:00, and so on. 18:00 is 6:00 p.m. (subtract 12 and add p.m.). Remember that European time is six/nine hours ahead of the East/West Coasts of the US.

Metric
European countries (except Great Britain) use kilometers instead of miles. A kilometer is six-tenths of a mile. To quickly translate kilometers to miles, cut the kilometer figure in half and add 10 percent of the original figure (e.g., 420 km = 210 + 42 = 252 miles). Some people prefer to drop the last digit and multiply by six: Quick, what's 150 km? (15 x 6 = 90 miles.)

Temperatures
Europeans measure temperatures in degrees Celsius. Zero degrees C = 32 degrees Fahrenheit. You can use a formula to convert temperatures in Celsius to Fahrenheit (divide C by 5, multiply by 9, and add 32 to get F), or easier and nearly as accurate, double the Celsius temperature and add 30. (To convert Fahrenheit to Celsius, subtract 32 from F, divide by 9, then multiply by 5.) A memory aid: 28° C = 82° F — darn hot. And a poem: 30 is hot, 20 is nice, 10 is cold, 0 is ice.

Addresses
House numbers often have no correlation to what's across the street. While odd is normally on one side and even is on the other, #27 may be directly across from #2.

Floors
Floors of buildings are numbered differently. The bottom floor is called the ground floor. What we would call the second floor is a European's first floor. So if your room is on the second floor (European), bad news — you're on the third floor (American). On the elevator, push whatever's below "1" to get to the ground floor. On an escalator, keep the left lane open for passing. Stand to the right.

10 more days...

2010-05-12T01:52:00.071-04:00

You know, with me posting 4 out of 7 days of the week, you would think I would get the first single digit count down day but NO! What odds would Monte Carlo give? But I digress..

Our family has interesting buying habits when it comes to under-garmets and this you mostly only fnd out by asking. Answers to "are you buying new underwear" ran the gambit and includes these priceless responses:

Michael says:
The ones I have are all "like new"

Mo, the-always-astute-one says:
Better than buying old underwear

While Mom solves all problems by NOT wearing underwear, Dad is insisting on wearing Speedos all the while Karen curses the skinny-minny French women with their skimpy thongs.

As far as what this family is most looking forward to in Nice our answers were mostly unamious: Relaxing, Sleeping In and combinations of putting mother's feet in the Mediterranean. Why do 4 of us want to put mother's fee in the Mediterranean? And who would they be? Like I said interesting family.

You heard it here first - there will be a throw down between Mom and I. For some interesting reason Mom thinks SHE will be trapsieing around Europe with George Clooney but Georgie and I have booked an excursion for the two of us. You know the song, Georgie and Cindy in a tree...

And lastly Karen's report on Iceland's Eyjafjallajokull volcano IS highly antipated but the volcano will NOT be stopping our flight to Barcelona. We are going to Barcelona come hell or hot volcano lava [high water]. Come on guys cut me a break -- all these blogs get hard :=)

See ya in Provence - a very very French excursion.

11 more days...

2010-05-11T01:51:00.033-04:00

Cruising with Cyn
Collection of useless information circuitous to the OPERATION: Poisson Rouge Adventure.

Nice (Villefranche) is the fourth stop on our European adventure and the first in France.

Villefranche is your gateway to the one-of-a-kind French Riviera, home to Monte Carlo, Cannes and Nice. Shaded by jagged mountains touching deep blue shores, Villefranche offers sunny beaches, sophisticated resort cities, quaint red-roofed villages and spectacular views.

See ya in Nice Baby!

12 more days...

2010-05-10T00:00:00.004-04:00

The Finance Report:

Holy crap!
Look at her go!!!

Last week we asked if the quiet was nothing more than a calm before the storm. Now we have our answer. The $US came on in a huge way this week, making it's largest gain since we began tracking it, and all but ending this hard fought contest. If you doubt the data, surf on over to this site to see the raw numbers. So, is this it? Are there any more surprises in store with just under two weeks to go? Stay tuned to find out.

CONTEST UPDATE:

We have lift off!

The winner of our contest (Grand Prize = 1 euro!) will be the one with the closest guess on May 21st, 2010.

______________________________

THE WEB REPORT:

66 Countries...

They didn't let us down! We got another one! Whoo-hoo!

_______________________________________________

Nana on the Titanic:

32,902 Views!
Another milestone as Nana tops 30K, and may be past 33K by the time this posts tonight! Quite the Mother's Day achievement! The bets are in and this contest ends 5/21/2010. Whomever bet the closest will claim a one Euro prize for their efforts. Our current leader is Cruisemeistress Cindy!

Mo - 40,356
Karen - 39,423
Old Folks - 38,848
Mike - 36,368
Cyn - 35,112
Currently - 32,902

_______________________________________________

Postcards:

FREE THIS WEEK!

Get 'em while they last!

Postcard #1: One Million Postcards

Postcard #2: Pope Benedict

Postcard #3, #4, #5: Still available

12 MORE DAYS!!!
(1.5 weeks!)

13 more days...

2010-05-09T00:01:00.024-04:00

________________________________

*****BREAKING NEWS*****
(...and it's NOT good!)

Click here for Videos: 19 airports close as giant ash cloud from Iceland volcano hovers over Spain

*********************************

Be sure to check out the current weather forecast links on Sundays in addition to the ongoing volcanic activity report to keep you up to date with flights and weather conditions in Europe

Click Here for Rome 10 day weather forecast

Cruise along and (try to) enjoy!...^_~

Karen

14 more days...

2010-05-08T01:49:00.067-04:00

This week's answers were the best yet - thanks for the responses.

I think the most valuable answers came from father and son in response to the question about thwarting pick-pocketers. Dad and Ken's Q and A goes like this (Mom/Karen you may wish to skip this section).

Q: What if anything are you doing to thwart pick pockets?
Dad's A: Thinking about just wearing a speedo.
Ken's A: Kick them in their funny place.

Q: What will you be taking off shore with you and how will you be storing it?
Dad's A: Money, can't fit much in a speedo [though].
Ken's A: money in my shorts.

Q: How much money are you bringing into port?
Dad's A: 50 Euros if it fits.
Ken's A: 2 dollars.

My interjection: Looks like someone got short changed.
Ken's interjection: Dad should be able to fit way much more in his speedos.

And not to be outdone Mike too is obsessed with his shorts and will be storing his money in his underwear. Mike takes the prize as he will be storing 300 big ones in his briefs {I swear to god I typed 'big ones' before I realized the double entendre}.

Michael very astutely asked (my spelling must be atrocious) how there are 296 steps in the Leaning Tower to run up while there are 294 steps to walk up. The running or walking is not part of the equation here. But depending what side of the Tower you start at there are a different number of steps. This is thanks to the sandy substrate the tower was built upon. BTW while spewing useless information the Leaning Tower of Pisa is NOT the only tower that leans; many do because of poor substrate.

Over and out. See ya in Provence next.

15 more days...

2010-05-07T01:48:00.028-04:00

Cruising with Cyn
Collection of useless information circuitous to the OPERATION: Poisson Rouge Adventure.

Florence is the third stop on our European adventure.

Breaking News!
The wonderful tour company Rome In Limo is booked for the day we are in Florence. I am looking frantically for a replacement. By now we should know what the can't miss items are in Florence but I will steal from an email Mo sent to me today.

Pisa:
Tower, Duomo, and Baptistery. Main reason to go to Pisa. The Field of Miracles, the medieval wall, and the town itself can all be experienced while we walk or drive.

Florence:
-- square of Michelangelo (Piazzale Michelangelo) is where you can see the famous view of Florence with the Duomo rising above the town.
--'quick drive down into the historical center' (not sure where that is since I thought all of Florence was historical)
--Santa Croce church -- all the most important artists are buried.
-- Drive around the city continues with a visit to the Duomo(cathedral-huge)(open til 3:30 - free), Giotto's Bell Tower (Campanile)(6 Euros - open until 7:30). The Baptistery (bronze doors being the highlight-free and always available to see) is right there too (inside -- 3 Euros open until 7). I would like time to climb the dome of the Duomo or the bell tower.
-- Signoria Palace and the Square -- outside the Uffizi gallery (paintings) -- square is full of statues(copy of David where original used to stand), restaurants, town hall, palace
-- The Old Bridge -- gold and silver market -- can be viewed from near the square -- along the Arno River
-- Pitti Palace -- it's a palace and interesting to see how the royals lived if you want to.

Onto the survey.

See ya over in Florence!

16 more days...

2010-05-06T00:00:00.001-04:00

Let's Review!

Here are some of the highlights of my past blog entries:

170 Days: Carry-On Luggage
Continental will permit one bag plus one personal item per customer to be carried on the aircraft.
The maximum combined linear measurement (L + W + H) of the carry-on bag is 45 inches, up to 14 in x 9 in x 22 in. The maximum weight of the carry-on bag is 40 pounds.

163 Days: Checked Luggage
Continental Airlines will accept up to two pieces of checked baggage with a maximum weight of 50 pounds and a maximum outside dimension of 62 inches. Outside dimension of a bag is equal to the width + height + depth of the bag added together. (The second bag will carry an extra fee).

156 Days: Packing Tips
TSA regulations state that liquid/gel/cream/paste/aerosol toiletries in carry-on bags must be in containers of 3 ounces or less to get through security checkpoints. And all of those containers must fit comfortably in a one quart size, clear plastic, zip-top bag.

Scan your passport, passport photos and paper tickets (if not the e type). Store this (in an email for e.g.) in your web based email account. You can also store the details of your emergency 'lost card' telephone numbers in your web based email account so you know who to contact if your credit card or ATM card is lost or stolen.

Keep any medication and important papers(copies of all your credit cards, ATM card, passport, birth certificate, driver's license, etc) in your carry-on bag. Packing a fresh change of clothes is a good idea.

As an extra precaution, be sure to include identification inside each piece of luggage in case the external tag is lost during your travels. If you know where you will be staying during a longer trip, add your cruise ship information to your identification tags(or use the luggage tags provided by the cruise line). This will allow the airlines to contact you there if your luggage is lost, rather than trying to contact you back at your home address.

135 Days: Credit Cards and ATM
Two weeks ahead of our flight out, contact your credit card company (and ATM / bank) to notify them that you will using your cards in Europe so they don’t put your card on hold. I did this already and it was quick and painless.

128 Days: Passport
Before you leave home, make two copies of your passport identification page. Leave one copy at home with friends or relatives and carry the other with you in a separate place from your passport. It's also a good idea to bring along two or three passport photos; these should be identical 2" x 2" photographs taken within the last six months, featuring a front view of your face on a white background. ID such as a birth certificate (showing citizenship), and driver license (proving ID). If your passport is lost or stolen, having these will speed up the replacement process. If you are uncomfortable carrying your birth certificate, take along a copy. Having the original just speeds up the process of getting a new passport.

Record your credit card and ATM card numbers. Also record the contact numbers located on the back of each card.

Once on board the ship, store passports and vital information in the safe in your cabin. Carry a color copy of your passport while on shore excursions. Carry your driver's license too. It is accepted easily as ID.

Write down the name and phone number of the "ship's agent" for the port (which will be printed in each port day's onboard newsletter), and carry it with you. Putting it in your cell phone or other electronic device is a good backup, but put it on a piece of paper, too. You'll need to contact the ship's agent if something bad happens while you're onshore (i.e., you get sick/robbed/miss the ship's departure, etc.)

Thanks for the idea Karen!! My easiest blog to date!

17 more days...

2010-05-05T01:47:00.002-04:00

We have a winner! We have a winner! We have a winner!

Mo is going to try to see the most sites in Rome. She (and by default Mike) will be seeing: The Roman Forum, Sistine Chapel, The Pantheon, St. Peter's Basilica, Trevi Fountain, The Colosseum, Vatican City, St. Peter's Square, Palatine Hill, Capitoline Hill, view from dome of St. Peter's, Circus Maximus, Arch of Constatine and the Arch of Septimus Severus. Followed closely behind Mo is Karen who not only is going to see a large majority of those sites, Karen has said (reading betwee the lines that is) she will be taking Ken and Cindy to the Cat Sanctuary.

Three of us have said we are most looking forward to see the Colosseum (Mike, Mo and Janet). I could have wagered money on what Karen would say she was most interested in seeing -- Trevi Fountain. While I'd like to be hanging with Karen at the fountain, Ken and I are hanging with Dad. To the question, what are you most looking forward to in Rome, Dad answered Wine at Lunch.

On to the first of the two filler questions: who will have nicely manicured nails? Half of us will and half will not. While it is probably very easy to guess, I'll provide the answer. Mom of course will, Karen probably will, and Michael was very smart by getting his done yesterday. Mo said his 'dark eggplant' colored toe nails are to-die-for.

As always we end the survery with an open ended question: anything else to add. Instead of picking a single item, there were three precious answers:

Mo:

I want to get one of those tacky photos with a gladiator!

Karen:

Rome is sure to be an action-packed-fun-filled day! This is the one place I hope to buy a remembrance token from our trip...something special and uniquely Italian...maybe a small piece of jewelry - like a silver cross necklace.

Dad:

Best not have too much wine at lunch.

That's all for this edition folks. See ya'll in Rome!

18 more days...

2010-05-04T01:46:00.002-04:00

Cruising with Cyn
Collection of useless information circuitous to the OPERATION: Poisson Rouge Adventure.

Rome (Rome baby!) is the second stop on our European adventure.

There is just an absolutely huge list of things to see in Rome. Explore the Roman Forum, Trevi Fountain and other wonders of this ancient city. Picture the gladiators and their chariots on an interior tour of the Colosseum. Bask in the glory of Vatican City, with an inside look at St. Peter's Square, St. Peter's Basilica, the Vatican Museum and the magnificent Sistine Chapel. See like I said so many really great options in Rome. Ya'll know what Rome has to offer - onto the survey before my head pops off.

See you in Rome!

19 more days...

2010-05-03T00:00:00.080-04:00

The Finance Report:

Steady, as she goes...

Do you hear that? That's the sound of quiet, which is exactly what the $US was this week... essentially flat. Of course this means that Mo 'Index Card' Lang maintains her comfortable margin over Nana heading into the final weeks of the contest. But something tells me that the duel is not yet over, and Nana is not out of the competition. Stay tuned to find out.

CONTEST UPDATE:

The calm before the storm?

The winner of our contest (Grand Prize = 1 euro!) will be the one with the closest guess on May 21st, 2010.

______________________________

THE WEB REPORT:

65 Countries...

We got another one! Whoo-hoo!

_______________________________________________

Nana on the Titanic:

29,136 Views!
Just last week Nana hit 25K views on YouTube, and this week she has topped 29K! It is rumored that at least 1,500 of those hits are coming from a very special fan in West Orange, NJ (yeah Cindy!). However, 'Houston... we have a problem.' Nana's ratings on YouTube have dropped to 3 out of 5 stars, which is sure to have an impact on her future earnings. 30K views by the start of the cruise is no longer much of a question... But how high will Nana go? I will start the bidding at 36,368 views by 5/21/2010. Whoever bets closest will claim a one Euro prize for their efforts. Place your bets!

Also on the topic of YouTube, Pop-pop wanted to know how many views the other videos have received, in order to put this into perspective. They are as follows:

Operation: Poisson Rouge - Gilligan's Island - 125 views

Cruise Ship Toilet Danger - A Mythbusters Type of Experiment - 118 views

OPERATION: Poisson Rouge - Happy Birthday Karen! - 44 views

WhyNot.mpg - 34 views

The Love Boat: LOST FOOTAGE - 25 views
2001 06 09 - Kevin being cute.avi - 1 view

_______________________________________________

Postcards:

FREE THIS WEEK!

Get 'em while they last!

Postcard #1: One Million Postcards

Postcard #2: Pope Benedict

Postcard #3, #4, #5: Still available

19 MORE DAYS!!!
(Holy crap! 2.5 weeks!)

20 more days

2010-05-02T01:00:00.010-04:00

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Volcanic domino effect feared in Iceland

Sun, 02 May 2010 01:56:07 GMT

Iceland's Eyjafjallajokull volcano is still spewing ash as scientists warn the explosions could trigger much greater eruptions from a nearby volcano.

The volcano awoke in April with its first eruption in almost 200 years, driving hundreds of people temporarily from their homes in the area, 120 km (75 miles) east of Iceland's capital, Reykjavik.

A bigger eruption soon followed in mid-April which rattled the global economy by disrupting air traffic across Europe.

Thousands of planes across northern Europe were grounded for almost a week over fears that the silicate ash cloud damage jet engines. This stranded millions of passengers all over the world and inflicted USD 2 billion worth of damage on the international aviation industry.

Iceland itself did not immediately suffer flight cancellations as the winds blew the ash pall east toward Europe. Iceland's international airport stayed open until after the wind shifted direction.

Hot gases from the volcano, which lies beneath a glacier, however, melted the ice and sent torrents of water filled with ash sweeping down the steep slopes of the volcano.

The ongoing minor eruptions is said to pose no threat to air traffic but is feared to set off a much bigger volcano, posing a threat of some magnitude.

Iceland, with a population of 320,000 people, sits on a large volcanic hot spot in the Atlantic's mid-oceanic ridge, and has seen devastating eruptions over the years.

Editors note: The million dollar word in the above article is "could"...yes, Eyjafjallajokull could set off its sister volcano...let's just hope and pray that if it is to erupt, that it holds off for another 5 - 6 weeks, or more. Contrary to Mo's excitement of us possibly being stuck in Europe if the volcano does blow while we are there, I don't think it would be as glamorous and exciting as what she has in mind...sleeping in a foreign airport for days with other stranded travelers is in no way appealing to me - and traveling to the outskirts of Barcelona to find temporary lodging while the "smoke blows over" would be very expensive and stressful...sorry Mo, but I personally hope we DON'T get stuck in a foreign country! (I'm only packing enough underwear for 9 days!)

*****************************
Be sure to check out the current weather forecast links on Sundays in addition to the ongoing volcanic activity report to keep you up to date with climate conditions in Europe

Click Here for Barcelona weather forecast and other interesting info!

Click Here Celsius to Fahrenheit conversion info!

Cruise along and enjoy!...^_~

Karen

21 more days...

2010-05-01T01:44:00.003-04:00

Breaking news here, while most of us will be paying for items in Europe via "normal" means, credit cards, cash and the like Mike will be paying for things in Europe with sexual favors (don't shoot the messenger). I thought that these surveys would be helpful to gather information but never did I think that the surveys would be a tool for bribery. Mike/Mo we will talk off line on this subject.

We clearly all want to see the Pompeii while Ken and Cindy want to also see Capri and Sorrento. There's only so much dust we can take in a day :-). As far as what the cruise line is offering we have a split decision from those who answered the question. Two peeps (Mom and Dad) will be taking NP03 (Exploration of Pompeii) and two peeps (Ken and Cindy) are leaning towards NP02 (Capri, Sorrento & Pompeii - NP02, Colloseum). Mike/Mo or should I say Mo/Mike, I understand you may be leaning towards the on your own excursions. Can wait to see everyone to catch up!

As far as the cuisine in Naples -- on the off chance I misunderstood I will apologize up front -- sorry Mo if I misunderstood -- Naples is the birth place place of pizza, unlike anything we've had in the states, please please eat a slice of pizza. Karen, Ken and I will be nibbling on some bruchetta right after the pizza (did I mention the gelato?). 9:09 PM just happened to look at the excursion Ken and I might take and I'm uncertain if we'll be getting any pizza. According to the description we will be having lunch at a typical restaraunt. We may need to reconsider.

We will be retiring the line of questions involving shopping and souvenirs.

The next survey will be a little more racy so stay tuned.

22 more days...

2010-04-30T01:39:00.003-04:00

Cruising with Cyn
Collection of useless information circuitous to the OPERATION: Poisson Rouge Adventure.

Naples is the first stop on our European adventure.

Naples is not only picturesque, it's also one of the world's greatest cultural centers, filled with extraordinary works of art and architecture in the classical Greek and Roman styles. Several interesting tours are available of the city itself and the fascinating places that lie just outside of Naples.

The One Thing You Don't Want to Miss
While you're in the area, you'll want to visit Pompeii [or Herculaneum!], one of the most famous excavation sites in the world. A thriving city 1,900 years ago, it was devastated by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. when 30 feet of volcanic ash and pumice stone covered it. Enter Pompeii by the sea gate and take a short walk to the hub of the city: the Forum. View the lavish temples and porticoes that lay beneath the ash for centuries.

Other Fun Things to Do

Take a boat trip to the entrancing Isle of Capri, and explore Capri Town. Wander its quaint streets and explore its shops and cafés. Discover the Gardens of Augustus, overlooking the famous Faraglioni of Capri and Marina Piccola.
Take a ride up the Amalfi Coast. With its ocean views and beautiful vistas, it's one of the most breathtaking stretches of road in the world.
Walk around and spend an afternoon getting to know the picturesque city of Naples.

Whatever you decide to do in Naples we want to hear about it! Do share afterwards on deck 13 or at dinner. As always take the survey below.

See ya in Naples

23 more days...

2010-04-29T00:00:00.052-04:00

Barcelona!

We touch down in Barcelona at 9: 15am on Sunday May 23rd. Brittany's 18th Birthday! Feliz Cumplianos Brittany! We should arrive at the port between 11am and noon. If you've completed you're on-line check-in (Mike and I have), the boarding process should be quick. You'll need a printout of your electronic cruise documents, your passport, and your photo ID (driver's license). Our bags will be tagged and sent to our rooms. If you plan on heading into Barcelona, remember to have whatever you need to be a tourist with you, because the bags will take a few hours to get to the rooms. (Keep valuables with you and not in your tagged bags!) We can lunch at the Windjammer Cafe. We may get a few hours in Barcelona. If you leave the ship (and I really hope we get to) you will have to reboard. To reboard you will need to repeat the check-in process at the pier (I called RC and they said you can use your SeaPass to re-board). In addition, Government regulations mandate that the ship will be locked down 1-2 hours before her scheduled departure time. Once the lock down begins, no guests will be allowed to reboard in Barcelona.

Port

Port Vell (Old Harbor) was built as part of an urban renewal program prior to the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. Before this, it was a run-down area of empty warehouses, railroad yards, and factories. 16 million people visit the complex each year. It is now a focal point of the city and tourist attraction, containing the Maremàgnum (a mall containing shops, a multiplex cinema, bars and restaurants), IMAX Port Vell and Europe's largest aquarium. A pedestrian walkway, Rambla de Mar, connects La Rambla to Port Vell. It incorporates a swing bridge, in order to allow ships to enter and exit the harbour.

La Rambla

La Rambla is a street in central Barcelona, popular with both tourists and locals alike. A 1.2 kilometer-long tree-lined pedestrian mall between Barri Gòtic and El Raval, it connects Plaça Catalunya in the center with the Christopher Columbus monument at Port Vell. Street performers, nudists, and tourists all in one place! And don't forget to drink from the fountain in Rambla de Canaletes, the upper part of La Rambla, near Plaça de Catalunya. Folklore says that if you drink from this famous fountain at the top of La Rambla you will always return to the city.

Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria

Mercat de Sant Josep, Mercado de La Boqueria is one large building with hundreds of food vendors to excite and delight every palate. This is the place to be if you are looking for something to eat, drink, or purchase the ingredients to fulfill a gourmet's desires. Each stall or store has colorful vendors who will help you make decisions on what's good and what's great.

La Sagrada Familia

Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Familia (Expiatory Church of the Holy Family), often simply called the Sagrada Família is a massive, privately-funded Roman Catholic church that has been under construction in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain since 1882 and is not expected to be complete until at least 2026. Considered the master-work of renowned Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí, the project's vast scale and unusual design have made it one of Barcelona's (and Spain's) top tourist attractions for many years. You must see the detail that covers the exterior. Truly amazing. There is symbolism and biblical references that literally cover the walls.

Park Guell

Park Guell is a garden complex with architectural elements situated on the hill of el Carmel in the Gràcia district of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. It was designed by the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí and built in the years 1900 to 1914. (The park was originally part of a commercially unsuccessful housing site.) Gaudí avoided leveling the grounds so that the park has a network of twisting roads which follow the contours of the land. The lowest point is the entrance, from which a double staircase leads to the hypostyle chamber, the ceiling of which serves as the floor of the huge public square. Outlying areas have imaginative viaducts and colonnades, which in their design evoke natural forms.

Casa Milà and Casa Batlló

Antoni Gaudí was an architect from Catalonia, Spain, who belonged to the Modernisme (Art Nouveau) movement and was famous for his unique style and highly individualistic designs. Two of his building designs located in Barcelona are Casa Milà and Casa Batlló. Casa Milà, better known as La Pedrera (Catalan for 'The Quarry'), is a building designed by the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí and built during the years 1906–1910. Casa Batlló, better known by the local name Casa dels ossos (House of Bones), and indeed it does have a visceral, skeletal organic quality, was originally designed for a middle-class family and situated in a prosperous district of Barcelona.

Now quick, get back to the ship! We have a cruise to take.

24 more days...

2010-04-28T01:43:00.002-04:00

So who thought I would forget to submit my blog on time? :-)

What are we doing in Barcelona you ask? Andy/Dad/Pop Pop was simply brillant with this quote: Actually I do not plan to "plan ahead" for Barcelona but instead, upon arrival, decide what to do based on available energy after a long airplane ride, what is still available and what seems appealing at the time.

Maureen and Karen are experiencing Barcelona to the hilt...but my money is on Mo. 1. She filled out the survey before even me (I admit to waiting though) 2. Mo filled out the "Other" text box with like 3 or 4 sites she came up with on her own. Sounds like a woman with a plan, map and iternery. Minimally we can all meet up on Las Ramblas as we've all unanimously said we'd be strolling/shopping. Ken and I are going to stalk Mo though.

This family is so like minded - we are all looking to drop a couple of pounds before the cruise -- which works perfectly for the couple of pounds a cruise adds to one's waist line. We are also not dead set on buying any souvenirs - that's ashame Ken and I thought we'd be showered with plastic snow globes :-)

Speaking of like minded most of us will be eating the scrumptous seafood offerings in Barcelona. It should be simple for us to stop off at a Tapas bar for seafood.

What we decided to splurge on was all very cruise related such as suitcase, comfortable shoes, messenger bag (check out my messenger bag!) but Ken's response was priceless -- he said his splurge is the cruise.

Well that's it for now. Get ready for questions about what we are doing in Naples. Oh my did you see that? I think that was the Naked Man of Barcelona!

25 more days...

2010-04-27T01:14:00.019-04:00

Cruising with Cyn
Collection of useless information circuitous to the OPERATION: Poisson Rouge Adventure.

Barcelona is the first taste of our European adventure. And a small taste it is.

We have a bit of time buffer in case our flight is delayed (see Karen's weather reports for more info on that possibility).

Logistically we have to make it from the Barcelona airport to VOTS. There should be someone from RC there to direct us to the pier. We will need to secure our luggage and go to the pier. We've been told that we will be allowed to board the boat (oh no my mom says it is a ship appparently boats are small and the Voyager of the Seas ain't small), I digress (have you seen that commercial?), drop our luggage, relax a bit (but do realize I believe staff will still be tidying our rooms on the boat, I mean ship) and then we may leave the ship if we are back by 5PM.

So what does one do with a limited and undetermined amount of time in a foreign city? Here is a short description of items to do in Barcelona taken from the RC web site. Just make sure you are back in time.

While you're in Barcelona, don't miss the Picasso Gallery. Several adjoining 15th-century palaces house a huge collection (over 2,000 pieces) of Picasso's work.

- Other Fun Things to Do Stroll along Las Ramblas, a wonderfully vibrant part of the city where street vendors and performers vie for your attention. [We are within walking distance to Las Ramblas.]

- Explore the many churches and cathedrals of Barcelona and discover the city's modernist architecture along Paseo de Gracia.

- Visit Antoni Gaudí's unfinished Segrada Familia. With eight soaring spires and a spectacular main façade, this cathedral is a true architectural masterpiece.

Of course there are also things to do outside of Las Ramblas, perhaps a taxi drive away.

Onto the crux of this posting...please tell us what you may do in Barcelona and take the survey below. I will then post the results in a subsequent posting.

And don't forget to do your homework - see what excursions RC has in Naples.

See ya in Barcelona!

26 more days...

2010-04-26T00:00:00.030-04:00

The Finance Report:

BOO-YAH!

There has been yet another lead change in the great O:PR Euro Shootout! Once again, Mo has moved into first place, and this time by her most significant margin! The $US is at its highest point since we began tracking it, and it looks like the MICP Method (Mo's Index Card Prediction) may have something behind it. But, then again, something tells me that the duel is not yet over, and Nana is far from being out of it. Stay tuned and find out.

CONTEST UPDATE:

Mo grabs the lead back from Nana who ripped it from Mo, whole stole it from Nana, who the previous week had wrestled it from Mo, who the week before that swiped it from Nana!

The winner of our contest (Grand Prize = 1 euro!) will be the one with the closest guess on May 21st, 2010.

______________________________

THE WEB REPORT:

64 Countries...

64 countries... blah-blah-blah...

Nana on the Titanic:

25,755 Views!
ANOTHER milestone! Nana has earned her 25K pin by achieving 25,755 views on YouTube, as of Friday... (Sunday update: 26,571!!!) Who would ever have thunk it? Will Nana hit 30,000 before the cruise? Mo says, "Yes"... and she seems to be good at predicting things. Place your bets!

_______________________________________________

Postcards - $5 each!

SPECIAL WEB PROMOTION: Include the coupon code "FREE" in your note to me, and your postcard will be totally free! Limited time offer!

Postcard #1: One Million Postcards

Postcard #2: Pope Benedict

Postcard #3, #4, #5: Still available

26 MORE DAYS!!!
(It's getting kinda scary now...)

27 more days...

2010-04-25T00:01:00.021-04:00

***BREAKING NEWS***

Officials say that air traffic in Europe has returned to normal. Most of the restrictions put in place during the volcanic ash crisis are no longer in effect. Thousands of passengers remain stranded as airlines work to clear the backlog of flights.

The following was reported on April 20th, 2010

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Iceland's civil protection agency said Eyjafjallajokull was still spewing ash, but that the plume was now around 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) high — not large enough to reach jet streams. Winds are now gusting from the south east — away from Europe.

The only way to appease the volcano in Iceland is to sacrifice Miley Cyrus and Justin Bieber....(picturing Mom & Dad going..."Huh???")

Cruise along and Enjoy!....^_~

Karen

28 more days...

2010-04-24T07:38:00.001-04:00

Unfortunately the bad news is there in the results of the survery. There are two people who will not be wearing underwear on the dress up nights.

Perhaps I need a follow-up question for the other days. If anyone wants to know who the possible streakers are I am looking for a bribe.

What are you most looking forward to? Everyone is looking forward to sightseeing (so sightseeing we shall). 4 out of 7 of us are looking forward to stuffing ourselves with food. Half of us will be people watching while the other half are relaxing. Wonder if the people watchers will be watch the relaxers - would not think that is too exciting. One nerd wants to see Italian art and 1 romantic wants to spend time with hubby.

What is the one thing you will not leave home without? Most of us will not leave home without their significant other but Ken would apparently leave me behind in favor of his pants. Yes pants.

Please rate your fluency with the Italian/French langage. We're screwed. Need I say more? On the average we know a smidge more Italian (thanks for the language lessons Karen) than French but we pretty much rated ourselves as Poor.

Now onto the questions involving excursions... None of us have booked any excursions yet (I hope you are looking at the RC site - they have an updated list of excursions they are offereing with descriptions, prices and sometimes videos [link below]. I recommend doing some research quickly and booking some.) What type excursions are you more likely to participate in? Cindy, Ken, Mom and Dad (by default I'm adding Karen) are considering particiapating in the excursions offerered by the cruiseline. Please note if you go off on your own you need to get back before the ship leaves, if you are on a cruise sponsored excursion and you don't get back on time, the ship [supposedly] waits for you. EVERYONE says that they are open to participating in excursions with the family. A couple of people said that they would be open to using a hired driver. I've done some research on this (I looked on the RC site to be precise) and it is a little expensive but could be very cool. Please note prices on site is not per person but per vehicle.

Anyone dining in Portofino (on board fancy shmancy reservation only restaraunt for a 20-25 dollar upcharge per person)? Ken and Cindy hope to book reservations for the second night. Our [read my] logic is: first night we would like to share in the experience with everyone, dinners on the third night and forward may be filled with stories on what everyone did at the port. Everyone else by and large said that they Dunno if they are going to Portofino.

What will you be wearing on the dress up dinner nights? Based on our answers we will be dressed to the nines. Michael, I am sorry no baseball caps allowed in the main dining room. I believe you could be seated in the crew's galley kitchen though. Mo, cool gown huh. Do tell. I have some gowns (not sure they fit but I belive they still look good enuf).

What if anything do you want to add? Everyone but me answered this question with a chorus of 'good job'. This is not for a compliment, this is for you to share anything I may have missed or if you have a question you want in a subsequent survey. Freel free to use the comments section at the very end of the blog to compliment me.

Coming next week (actually in a day or two or theree - I better check) a survey on what we plan on doing in Naples our first stop. As part of the survey is a question specific to the excursions offered by the cruise ship - so you may want to prep.

29 more days...

2010-04-23T01:41:00.001-04:00

Cruising with Cyn
Collection of useless information circuitous to the OPERATION: Poisson Rouge Adventure.

Since November of 2009 the OPERATION: Poisson Rouge blog authors have faithfully brought you the most up to date information, best travel tips, rip-roarously funny content and some of the best art work around. Time to change things around a bit.

We want to hear from you. Cruising with Cyn will be changing things up a bit by providing surveys for your participation. Below is a the first survey which centers around the general cruise experience.

For the first survey I'd like e-a-c-h of us to take it. Subsequent surveys will have the option for "couples" to take the survey or if you want each person of the couple can take the survey.

Boy that sounds confusing! Well it should be easy. Please take the survey below. In a day or two I will post the results. Subsequent survey postings will be specific to a port of call so if you have a question you want to add to the survey -- email me (or put it in the Comments).

30 more days....

2010-04-22T00:00:00.003-04:00

Toulon

Toulon is our final port of call. Originally we were supposed to go to Marseille, but there is a dock workers strike. Apparently Marsaille is one strike happy place. Maybe that's where the North Penn school board is from. Toulon is a city in southern France and a large military harbour on the Mediterranean coast, with a major French naval base. The military port of Toulon is the major naval center on France's Mediterranean coast, home of the French Navy aircraft carrier Charles De Gaulle and her battle group. The French Mediterranean Fleet is based in Toulon. Toulon is an important centre for naval construction, fishing, wine making, and the manufacture of aeronautical equipment, armaments, maps, paper, tobacco, printing, shoes, and electronic equipment. If the volcanic ash grounds us, we can all find jobs here.

The Old Town

The old town of Toulon, the historic center located between the port, the Boulevard de Strasbourg and the Cours Lafayette, is a pedestrian area with narrow streets, small squares and many fountains. Toulon Cathedral is located here. The area is also home of the celebrated Provençal market which takes place every morning on the Cours Lafayette, which features local products. The old town had decayed in the 1980s and 1990s, but recently many of the fountains and squares have been restored, and many new shops have opened.

Cours Lafayette Provençal market

Vendors line up on both sides of the street for blocks selling fruit, cheese, seafood, flowers, vegetables, meat, bread and olive oil. During the weekend (we will be there on Saturday!) it becomes more like a flea market selling clothes, make-up, perfume and other trinkets in addition to the usual food. There are great little shops along the street as well selling houseware and beautiful provencal fabrics in blue, green and yellow.

Fountains

The Old Town of Toulon is known for its fountains, found in many of the small squares, each with a different character. The original system of fountains was built in the late seventeenth century; most were rebuilt in the eighteenth or early nineteenth century, and have recently been restored.

The Upper Town of Baron Haussmann
The upper town, between the Boulevard de Strasbourg and the railroad station, was built in the mid nineteenth century under Louis Napoleon. The project was begun by Baron Haussmann, who was prefect of the Var in 1849. Improvements to the neighborhood included the Toulon Opera, the place de la Liberté, the Grand Hôtel, the Gardens of Alexander I, the Chalucet Hospital, the palais de Justice, the train station, and the building now occupied by Galeries Lafayette, among others. Haussmann went on to use the same style on a much grander scale in the rebuilding of central Paris

The Harbour and Arsenal

The Toulon harbour is one of the best natural anchorages on the Mediterranean, and one of the largest harbors in Europe. A naval arsenal and shipyard was built in 1599, and a small sheltered harbor, the Veille Darse, was built in 1604-1610 to protect ships from the wind and sea. The shipyard was greatly enlarged by Cardinal Richelieu, who wished to make France into a Mediterranean naval power. Further additions were made by Jean-Baptiste Colbert and Vauban.

The Museum of the French Navy

The Museum of the French Navy (Musée national de la marine) is located on Place Monsenergue, next on the west side of the old port, a short distance from the Hotel de Ville. It is located today behind what was formerly the monumental gate to the Arsenal of Toulon, built in 1738. The building of the museum, along with the clock tower next to it, is one of the few buildings of the port and arsenal which survived Allied bombardments during World War II. It contains displays tracing the history of Toulon as a port of the French Navy. Highlights include large eighteenth century ship models used to teach seamanship, models of the aircraft carrier Charles De Gaulle.

Le Mourillon

Le Mourillon is a small seaside neighborhood to the east of Toulon, near the entrance of the harbour. It was once a fishing village, and then became the home of many of the officers of the French fleet. Mourillon has a small fishing port, next to a sixteenth-century fort, Fort Saint Louis, which was reconstructed by Vauban. In the 1970s the city of Toulon built a series of sheltered sandy beaches in Mourillon, which today are very popular with the Toulonais and with naval families. The Museum of Asian Art is located in a house on the waterfront near Fort St. Louis.

Mount Faron

Mount Faron (584 meters) dominates the city of Toulon. The top can be reached either by a cable car from Toulon, or by a narrow and terrifying road which ascends from the west side and descends on the east side. The road is one of the most challenging stages of the annual Paris-Nice and Tour Méditerranéen bicycle races. At the top of Mount Faron is a memorial dedicated to the 1944 Allied landings in Provence (Operation Dragoon) , and to the liberation of Toulon. The Memorial Museum to the Landings in Provence (Mémorial du débarquement de Provence) is located on the summit of Mount Faron, this small museum, opened in 1964 by President Charles De Gaulle, commemorates the Allied landing in Provence in August 1944 with photos, weapons and models.

Tour Royale

The Tour Royale (also known as La Grosse Tour) is a fort built in the 16th century to protect the entrance of the Petit Rade, the naval port of Toulon. It was the first fortification of the harbor, built 22 years after Provence became a part of France. In 1700 the French military engineer Vauban made the fort one of the strong points of his extensive system of fortifications of the Port. He recommended adding another level of cannons, and a new battery at the foot of the tower, and lowering the hills around to give the gunners a clearer view of approaching enemy ships. The Tour was equipped with forty cannons. The Tour Royale is located at the southernmost point on the east side of the harbor entrance, near the base of the long jetty that now closes the harbor. Look for it as we enter and leave the harbor. After the 18th century, the tower was largely used as a prison. During the Franco-German War of 1870, the gold reserves of France were secretly stored inside the fort. The Tour Royale is still a military installation and is closed to the public, but the city of Toulon is constructing a park around the fort, and connecting it to the coastal path along the harbor and coastline.

Ile de Porquerolles

One of three islands off of Toulon called the Iles d'Or or golden islands. Porquerolles can be reached by taking about a 40 minute ferry ride provided by several different companies from the port at Toulon. This place is amazing. The ferry ride over is beautiful and then you arrive in a gorgeous marina into the small town. Right off the boat you can walk into the town which has many small restaurants, a small grocery store and lots of fruit stands. Bike rentals are popular. The only cars are those the locals own. The Plage d'Argent (beach) is the closest to town, about a twenty minute walk straight through town and then on a dirt path through trees and by a vineyard, a fun relaxing way to approach the beach. Then at the end of the path you begin to see the beach through the trees. The beach is beautiful clear warm water great for lots of swimming. Important: Our ship leaves at 5pm. If you visit Ile de Porquerolles, make sure you are back in plenty of time! Check the ferry schedule before heading over!

Next week -- Barcelona -- Yes! We have time on departure day to see some sights in Barcelona! ( Heck, we may get to see more than we want to if that volcano erupts while we are on the cruise. ) What to do while grounded in Europe -- now that's a problem I wouldn't mind having.

31 more days...

2010-04-21T00:00:00.002-04:00

I know you were asking yourselves: "What's happening this week in Italy?". Presented below are current news stories from Naples, Rome and Florence (minus the Eyjafjallajokull fiasco).

Naples

Anyone interested in going to Pompeii? Here is a read for you. Check out this article about how Herculaneum might be a better choice. Herculaneum is the more preserved site for exploring ruins and now with many logistical changes might rate your visit. Herculaneum - The New Pompeii; new face lift for the old archeological site.

Rome

Do you know where the Pope is? Pope travels to Malta - Update

The 83 year old Pope rummored to be a friend of the Poisson Rouge Blog left Rome for Malta on Saturday to meet with government and political officials.

Florence

From the Florentine: April 16-25 Florence and surrounding area

The most anticipated cultural event of the year is finally here! For 10 days, the Ministry of Cultural Affairs offers free entry to all state-run monuments, museums, archaeological sites, and libraries. The 12th annual Week of Cultural Heritage will also feature conventions, exhibits, guided visits and concerts, making it a truly special occasion for all visitors eager to discover the rich cultural and artistic heritage the region has to offer.

Come back next time to see what's happening in France.

This special report came gratis of Cindy, who saved the day for Karen who was having technical difficulties. What a team!!!

32 more days...

2010-04-20T00:00:00.010-04:00

Just in case...

Photo Album Insurance!

The news of Eyjafjallajokull erupting got me thinking... What if this dream of an experience were to be effected. What would we do?

We would make the most of it. In fact, it might be wise to prepare a back-up photo album of sorts, in case of emergency! And thus, we present to you...

The OPERATION: Poisson Rouge

(back up) Photo Album!

The flight overseas was pleasant and uneventful.

Our capable pilot and stewardess took great care of us.

The boat was a beauty, although a bit smaller than I envisioned it.

We took the usual boarding photos,

...attended the safety drills,

And even got to meet the Captain and crew!

Time for a swim!

Once unpacked, we headed straight for the pool. Each of us looked marvelous in our swimming attire! Ken dared to go European with the speediest of Speedo's. (He looked great!)

Karen got to show off that cute little bikini she had worked so hard to fit into.

Mike met some wonderful people pool side.

They were like family.

Mo made an old bathing suit look new again,

And the old folks looked as if they had never aged.

(Cindy also looked smokin' hot, but she was taking the pictures.)

Dinner Time!

It was good that we swam first, because then came the food...

We ate so much...

...that we stained our tongues!

And then came the drink,

...and the drink,

...and the drink

...and the drink!

(a story for another blog...)

Activities!

Back on deck, Ken harnessed up to climb the rock wall.

I wish that I had gotten it on camera, but trust me, he made it to the top!

The night was one to remember!

A bunch of us got on stage with the nice woman that we met poolside and jammed "We're Coming to America!"

Not to be outdone, Ken decided to solo, "Miss Mary Mack". The crowd went wild!!!

But the big surprise? Karen had decided to reprise her 'Stardusters' days. Pop-pop, always her biggest fan, had a front row seat.

Later in the evening Nana tortured the slots, which, by-the-way, is how the 2011 cruise came to be funded!

...and Ken and Cindy were able to turn their incredibly generous gift into a money-making venture!

The next day we were off on excursions.

We laughed with Queens...

We saw historic landmarks...

...and we toured many exotic places.

We even crossed some things off of our bucket list!

Back on board, for 'Formal Night'

We did our hair...

...and put on our best clothes,

...and together,

...we celebrated,

and enjoyed each other's company!

Before we left, Pop-pop checked his email.

Looking back, we were surprised at...

...some of prices in Europe,

...and the local "fashion".

But,we returned tan and happy!

Thank you Cruisemaster Ken and Cruisemistress Cindy for a FANTASTIC EXPERIENCE!!!

32 MORE DAYS!!!

33 more days...

2010-04-19T00:00:00.008-04:00

The Finance Report:

Ebbin' n Flowin'!

There has been another lead change in the great O:PR Euro Shootout! Nana has moved into first place yet again, and this time by a more significant margin! It's a real nail-biter, folks. The $US is in a good range for the upcoming cruise. But something tells me that the duel is not yet over. Stay tuned and find out.

CONTEST UPDATE:

Nana rips the lead back from MO, whole stole it from Nana, who the previous week had wrestled it from Mo, who the week before that swiped it from Nana!

The winner of our contest (Grand Prize = 1 euro!) will be the one with the closest guess on May 21st, 2010.

______________________________

THE WEB REPORT:

64 Countries...

I thought that we were going to get blanked again this week, but over the weekend, two more countries rang in!

Nana on the Titanic:

23,337 Views!
Nana has achieved 23,337 views on YouTube, as of Friday... (Sunday update = 24,052) Who would ever have thunk it? Will we hit 30,000 before the cruise? Place your bets!

Nana's popularity by age and sex

The young, and the middle aged seem to like Nana the most! What must they think? We can only wonder, unless of course they take the time to write and request a free postcard!

_______________________________________________

FREE Postcards!

What a segway... Our offer remains open to anyone in the world who wants to receive a FREE postcard from the cast of Operation: Poisson Rouge during our European adventure. Please click on the 'contact me' button below, and make your request. There are 3 more postcards requests available, each to be filled free of charge!

Postcard #1: One Million Postcards

Postcard #2: Pope Benedict

Postcard #3 - #5: Still available

33 MORE DAYS!!!

(Offer void to family, and friends...)

34 more days...

2010-04-18T00:01:00.034-04:00

***BREAKING NEWS***

Eyjafjallajokull poses threat to upcoming air travel to Europe

In case you're wondering, I didn't just randomly type with my eyes closed - Eyjafjallajokull (pronounced EYE-a-fyat-la-jo-kutl) is the name of the volcano in Iceland that is creating a bleak outlook for air passengers to and from Europe. The wind driven cloud of ash has spread across much of Northern Europe creating travel chaos for so many and may jeopardize our flight plans to Barcelona, Spain next month. As of the posting of this blog entry, Continental Airlines announced that it was adding Barcelona and Rome to the list of flight cancellations as of today. A quick check on Continental's website confirmed these cancellations. Time will tell where the plume will spread; if the volcanic activity intensifies, it may affect our long anticipated travel plans.

The image above forecasts the ash plume as of 6 am. CET on Saturday, April 17, 2010. (click image to enlarge)

“The (air) current in the height the ashes are reaching remains a strong northwesterly wind, which blows the ashes to Scotland and South Scandinavia,” Atlason of the Icelandic Met Office said. “Once the ashes reach those places other more complex wind systems take over, which spread the ashes across North and Central Europe. This will continue until Wednesday.”

Volcanic eruptions may continue for months, curtailing European air traffic when the ash reaches the region, said Sigrun Hreinsdottir, a geophysicist at the University of Iceland in Reykjavik. “From what we’ve seen, it could erupt, pause for a few weeks, and then possibly erupt again.”

The next few weeks will reveal to us if Eyjafjallajokull will prevent Operation Poisson Rouge from becoming a reality. Stay tuned on Sundays for more updates and information on this continuing story, and please feel free to add any information that you wish to share on this unfortunate current event...IF the cruise is off, Nana and I have FREE ROOMS available at the Borgata in Atlantic City, NJ to fill your scheduled vacation slots.

Cruise along and (TRY to) Enjoy...^_~
Karen

35 more days...

2010-04-17T00:00:00.007-04:00

Just like at Monaco, we are...

Racing to the finish!

~ FIVE MORE WEEKS ~

35 MORE DAYS!!!

36 more days...

2010-04-16T03:59:00.012-04:00

Cruising with Cyn
Collection of useless information circuitous to the OPERATION: Poisson Rouge Adventure.

I got my grubby little hands on the dinner menu that will be served nightly on our cruise. Please note that the day the dinning choices are offered can change. But if you want an idea of what will be offered - read on...

Day One

Starters
Melon and Mango – Drizzled with ginger syrup
Melon and Proscuitto
Smoked Fish Tapenade – Smoked fish, onions, capers, fresh herbs, served with crostini coulis
Vidalia Onion Tart – sweet onions and gruyere cheese baked in pastry with red pepper
Tuscan Tomato Soup – Thick rustic soup swirled with basil pesto Saigon Chicken Noodle Soup – Chicken broth with lemon grass, ginger, noodles and julienne vegetables
Chilled Watermelon Gazpacho – Garnished with chopped celery and cucumber

Salad
Spinach Salad – with plum tomatoes, sliced mushrooms and toasted pine nuts
Traditional Caesar Salad

Entrees
Shrimp Ravioli – In a cream coconut lime lobster sauce with wilted spinach and crispy fried leeks
Stuffed Chicken Breast – filled with prosciutto and brie, served with red pimento relish
Slow Roasted Prime Rib – with baked potato and horseradish au jus
Grilled Mediterranean Vegetable Quesadilla – Folded in a flour tortilla with Manchego cheese and tomato and cilantro salsa

Chef Signature Entrée
Royal Herb Crusted Fillet of Atlantic Cod – with light cream saffron champagne sauce, red skinned mashed potatoes and scallions

Deserts
Ivory Chocolate Fondue – full of mixed berries with a crunchy biscuit
Apple pie a la Mode – Slices of spiced golden delicious apples baked in a double crust pasry topped with vanilla ice cream
Savarin – rum soaked yeast cake filled with banana cream, finished with orange wedges, kadota figs, and chocolate chips
Low Fat Tropical Fruit salad – marinated in grand marnier
Sugar Fee Swan Chantilly – a pastry swan filled with sugar free whipped cream served with apricot puree

Day 2 - Formal Night

Starters
Orange Carpaccio – orange slices, red onions, watercress, feta cheese and cumin mint yogurt
Shrimp Cocktail royal – with cocktail sauce
Escargots Bourguignonne – baked snails in garlic herb butter
Lobster Bisque – finished with cognac and whipped cream
Oxtail Broth – beefy broth and aged sherry, served with a crispy cheese twist
Chilled Golden Pear – Garnished with dried cranberries

Salad
Caesar salad

Entrees
Truffled Wild Mushroom Linguini Alfredo – Linguini pasta folded in a creamy wild mushroom and white truffle sauce
Golden Sea Bass – Pan Seared fillet, Spanish sofrito, black olive polenta and fried capers
Roasted Duck – with black currant sauce, red cabbage and croquette potatoes
Eggplant Mozzarella Tower – with chunky plum tomato sauce and balsamic glaze

Chef Signature Entrée
Filet of Beef – creamy whipped potatoes and crimini mushrooms with green peppercorn sauce

Deserts
Grand Marnier Soufflé
Double Strawberry Cheesecake
Cherries Jubilee
Low Fat Double strawberry Cheesecake
Sugar Free Coconut Vanilla Layer Cake

Day 3

Starters
Caprese Salad – fresh mozzarella and tomatoes drizzled with olive oil
Antipasti – Cured Italian ham, seasonal melon, grilled vegetables, marinated Portobello mushrooms, baked caramelized garlic
Scallop Risotto – Sauteed sea scallops over Charred sweet corn and mascarpone risotto
Creamy Roasted Garlic Soup – with rye bread croutons
Minestrone – A rich Italian soup of vegetables, tomato, and pasta
Chilled Strawberry Bisque – garnished with fresh mint

Salad Insalata Mista – Mixed greens, zucchini, red bell peppers and black olives
Traditional Caesar Salad

Entrees
Rigatoni Pasta – with spiced chorizo sausage, red and green peppers, grilled corn, olive oil and basil
Garlic Tiger Shrimp – Garlic herb baked with seasonal vegetables
Chicken Marsala – Marsala mushroom sauce, mashed potatoes and fresh vegetables
Vegetarian Chili – With jalapeno corn bread, grated cheese and sour cream

Chef Signature Entrée
Lamb Shank with Rosemary – Slowly braised with garlic mashed potatoes and oven roasted vegetables

Deserts
Warm Chocolate Cake
Raspberry Panna Cotta
Tiramisu
Low Fat Angel Food Cake
Sugar Free Chocolate Mint Cake

Day 4

Starters
Mozzarella Salad – over arugula with a tomato basil salsa
Melon with Proscuitto
Chilled Shrimp Cocktail
Scallop and Mussels Gratin – seared with Pernod
Bouillabaisse
Tuscan White Bean Soup
Vichyssoise
Mesulun and Fennel Salad

Entrees
Ravioli Mare Monte – filled with cheese in a crabmeat mushroom sauce
Baked Perch – with sautéed spinach, balsamic and parmesan roasted potatoes and lemon sauce
Royal Sirloin – on a baked eggplant, zucchini and vegetable medley with Sicilian onions and pepper olive salsa
Vegetable paella – saffron rice with tomatoes, onions, bell peppers and asparagus tips, garnished with black olives and chopped scallions

Chef Signature Entrée
Coq au Vin – with mushrooms, bacon, caramelized baby inions, grilled polenta and crispy pancetta

Deserts
Crème Catalan
Spanish Orange Almond Cake
Chocolate Hazelnut Truffle Tart
Low Fat French Apple Flan
Sugar Free Chocolate Panna Cotta

Day 5

Starters
Fired Roasted Red Pepper Hummus – with roasted marinated zucchini and toasted pita
Shrimp Cocktail
Melon Proscuitto
Spinach Sweet Potato Dip – served warm with crisp tortilla chips
Roasted Pumpkin and Apple Soup – with crème fraiche and fried sage
Onion Soup – Caramalized onions in beed broth with Gruyere toast
Chilled Forest Berries and Buttermilk soup – a combination of fresh berries blended with buttermilk`

Salad
Greek Salad for the Table

Entrees
Grey Goose Vodka and Smoked Salmson Cream Pasta
- Creamy sauce tossed with orechhiette pasta, finished with mushrooms and crushed tomatoes
Roasted Turkey – with apple bread dressing, pan gravy, mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce
Grilled NY Strip Steak – Bearnaise sauce, fried potato wedges and zucchini
Indian Vegetable Curry – braised spiced garden vegetables with steamed rice and a refreshing cucumber yogurt sauce

Chef Signature Entrée
Mahi Mahi Tempura – Lightly battered and fried with homemade sweet and sour sauce, stir fried vegetables

Deserts
Brownie Madness
Key Lime Pie
Banana and Crunchy Nut Parfait
Sugar Free Key Lime Pie
Low Fat Strawberry Shortcake

Day 6 – Formal Night

Starters
Sun Ripened Pineapple - Sliced Pineapple, Sun dried apricot ricotta and black pepper
Citrus Cured Salmon - Thinly Slices with a dill cucumber salad
Creamed Wild Mushrooms in Puff pastry – crimini and oyster mushrooms in flaky pastry
Cream of Asparagus – Garnished with crunchy almonds
Double Duck Consomme – with julienne vegetables and aged port
Roasted Peach Soup – Finished with fresh strawberries

Entrees
New England Bay Scallops and Ziti – topped with Portobello mushrooms and fire roasted red pepper pesto
Fisherman’s Plate – A broiled lobster tail and garlicky shrimp with broccoli florets
Slow Roasted Aged Prime Rib – cut thick served with baked potato
Asian Fried Tofu – with sautéed bok choy, shiitake mushrooms and red curry sauce

Chef Signature Entrée
Thai BBQ Chicken Breast

Deserts
Desert Sampler – a trio of exquisite tastes
Low fat Berry Mousse
Sugar Free Red Berry Tart

Day 7

Starters
Exotic Fruits
Crab and Shrimp Salad
Melon Proscuitto
Beef and Veal Tortallacci
Jalapeño Potato Soup
Chicken consommé
Chilled Cranberry and Mango soup
Seasonal Greens
Caesar Salad

Entrees
Penne Tarantina – tossed in chunky tomato-garlic sauce, with mussels, shrimp and scallop
Parmesan Crusted Turkey Tenderloin with sage mustard Sauce
Slow Roasted Beef Shoulder Fillet – with marscapone roasted potatoes and Shiraz reduction
Asparagus and Brie Tart – grilled plum tomato, arugula, red pepper essence and chive oil

Chef Signature Entrée
Cornmeal Dusted Talapia with Japanese ratatouille and garlic wasabi aioli

Deserts
Choco-Chino Trilogy
BBB
Magic Mango Parfit
Low Fat Exotic Pineapple and Coconut Cake
Steamed Sugar Free Vanilla and Berry Custard

Alternative Selections always available
Ziti with Marinara Sauce
Broiled Fillet of Norwegian Salmon
Grilled Chicken Breast with seasonal herbs
Grilled Black Angus Top Sirloin with herb butter
Ice Cream, Sugar Free Ice Cream and sherbet selections
Cheese selection

And what will you be having?

37 more days...

2010-04-15T00:00:00.004-04:00

Tax Day!
Boo! Hiss! Back to the blog...

Last week we tendered into the quaint French port of Villefranche and visited Nice.
This week we explore...

Ready for it Nana?

Monaco!

Monaco is the second smallest country in the world, only Vatican City is smaller. Monaco is also the world's second smallest monarchy (and principality to be more exact). Monaco is the name of the country and its capital (and only) city. Monaco is a city-state. It is famous as a tax haven (there is no income tax), and wealthy foreigners make up the majority of the population. Monaco - is divided into four areas: Monaco-Ville, the old fortified city on the Rock which includes the Prince's Palace, Cathedral and Oceanographic Museum; the Condamine, or port quarter; Monte-Carlo, the business and recreation district; and Fontvieille, a man-made waterfront area for recreation and light industry. Monaco is best known for it's race, The Monaco Grand Prix, it's gambling at The Casino (Le Casino de Monte Carlo) and it's monarchy.

Monaco Grand Prix

The Monaco Grand Prix (Grand Prix de Monaco) is a Formula One race held each year on the Circuit de Monaco. Run since 1929, it is widely considered to be one of the most important and prestigious automobile races in the world, alongside the Indianapolis 500 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans (informally known as the Triple Crown of Motorsport). The race is held on a narrow course laid out in the streets of Monaco, with many elevation changes and tight corners as well as a tunnel, making it one of the most demanding tracks in Formula One. In spite of the relatively low average speeds, it is a dangerous place to race. This year's race is May 20th - 23rd. While we won't see the race, we can see the course.

Monte Carlo Casino

The Monte Carlo Casino is one of the most notable tourist attractions of Monaco. The casino complex is a gambling facility which also includes the Grand Théâtre de Monte Carlo, an opera and ballet house, and the headquarters of the Ballets de Monte Carlo. It is situated in the Monte Carlo quarter, although the citizens of Monaco (Monegasques) are forbidden to enter the gaming rooms. It hosts the annual European Poker Tour Grand Final. The route of the Monaco Grand Prix (the Circuit de Monaco) runs past the casino. The Casino (Le Casino de Monte Carlo) opens at 2pm to those 18 and older. Suitable attire is required. Jacket and tie if you visit the back rooms, not the general gambling area. There is a 10 euro entrance fee and ID check -- you 'lose' money before you gamble and no sneaking in those Monegasques. If you are heading to the casino or points on the eastern side of Monte Carlo, you may want to take the ferry that crosses the harbor, as it will save you a good amount of walking time.

The Monarchy

The Prince of Monaco lives in the Prince's Palace, which dates back to the 12th century. The palace has been occupied by the Grimaldi family since the 1200s who have ruled Monaco without interruption until today. The palace is guarded all of the time and there is a "Changing of the Guards Ceremony" every day in The Palace Square (at the front of the Palace) at 11:55am, seven days a week. There are also several tours of the palace given every day. The Monaco Cathedral is where Prince Rainier and Grace Kelly were married and also where Grace Kelly is buried. There are also a good number of the Grimaldi family buried here, as well.

Getting Around

The size of Monaco allows speedy and easy commutes between the various districts of the Principality. Walking in the Principality is facilitated by public lifts and escalators which operate 24 hours a day, every day, to help overcome difficult steep levels. Public transportation includes a bus shuttle service that includes 5 different routes. A single ticket is 1 euro, a card for 10 trips is 6 euros, and a daily ticket costs 3 euros. Get your ticket at the driver when boarding the bus.Departures are every 10 minutes from 7 am to 9 pm. You can buy tickets from the bus drivers and also multiple journey tickets valid for that day saving time and money. Monaco has a bus network of 5 lines that cover the entire principality. The lines are the following:

1 : Monaco Ville - Harbour - Casino - Saint Roman
2 : Monaco Ville - Harbour - Casino - Pont Ste Devote - Jardin Exotique
4 : Condamine - Pont Ste Devote - Place des Moulins
5 : Condamine - Fontvieille - Harbour - Hôpital - Condamine
6 : Fontvieille - Harbour - Casino - Larvotto (beaches)
Buses go on a circular route around La Condamine, with buses going north along the harbour, and going south on Rue Grimaldi. The best interchange points are at Place d'Armes and Stade Nautique, where most bus lines meet. If you're arriving or leaving by train, exits of the station are at the Pont Ste Devote, Place Ste Devote and Condamine bus stops.

This is the list of current public lifts / elevators availbale for use :
1- between the Place des Moulins and the beaches
2- between the Princess Grace Hospital Center and the Exotic Garden
3- between the harbor and the Avenue de la Costa
4- between the Place St. D'vote and the area of Mon'ghetti
5- between the Terraces of the Casino, the Congress Centre Auditorium and the Boulevard Louis II
6- between the Avenue des Citronniers and the Avenue Grande-Bretagne
7- between the highway and the Larvotto Boulevard.

Next week -- Toulon, our last port :(

38 more days...

2010-04-14T00:01:00.021-04:00

Part 2

(because you can never be too prepared!)

~ Toss a few empty plastic bags into your suitcase. You may need them later to pack dirty or damp clothes.

~ Folding or inflatable travel hangers are useful if you need to dry out hand laundry or a bathing suit in your cabin.

~ Tuck fabric softener sheets between garments as you pack to keep clothing fresh during travels.

~ Bring your own travel alarm clock; most staterooms do not have them.

~ Keep track of your boarding pass, on board charge/key card, as well as a picture ID to take ashore by slipping them into a bi-fold business card style carrying case. Cases with a "suede" finish are less likely to fall out of your pocket.

~ Pack toiletries, clothing, and other items in clear zipper top bags for faster security examination of your carry-on at the airport and pier. This method makes it easier to repack if your bag is emptied and searched.

~ Pack a pad of Post-It notes to leave messages for your cabin steward, family, and shipboard friends.

~ Pre-address stick-on labels for postcards to the folks back home & you won’t have to carry along a bulky address book.

~ Make two copies of your passport, driver's license, and credit cards before leaving home. Leave one set of copies in a safe place on your ship. If the ship's purser holds your passport (which is often the case, to expedite clearing the ship in foreign ports), carry the passport copy ashore with you. Leave the other copies with a friend or family member at home.

~ Binoculars are as useful indoors as they are outside. Typically you might think they are only for bringing far off wildlife and sights within view, but take them into museums, cathedrals, and other buildings to examine the details of artwork, sculptures, and architectural elements.

~ Even if you don’t think you’ll need them, bring along extra camera batteries and change them before you think the old ones are “dead.”

~ Leave any paperback novels you've finished for the crew library. You'll have more room in your suitcase and crewmembers will have fresh reading material.

~ Don't forget to pack and USE your sunscreen. Why take the chance of a nasty sunburn ruining a great cruise vacation? Protect your skin from injury and aging. Excessive sun exposure contributes to wrinkles.

~ Check the balance of your on board account before the end of your cruise. Straighten out any discrepancies immediately and avoid a long line at the Purser's Desk that last morning after your final bill arrives.

~ Don't you look gorgeous in your formal attire? Have a family portrait taken to preserve the memory. There's no obligation to purchase any photos you don't care for.

~ Set aside gratuity money and keep it in your room safe. Many cruisers compute the "recommended" amounts in advance and get cash in the proper denominations before leaving home. If your ship automatically charges gratuities to your onboard account, you may adjust the amounts according to the level of service you receive.

~ Most ships’ cabins have only one or two electrical outlets located near the desk/vanity table (not counting the shaver-only outlet in the bathroom). A short extension cord allows you to use more than one electrical appliance at once and gives you a bit more flexibility to move around.

~Take along an insulated mug with a lid. Fill it at the beverage station in the buffet area—your drinks will stay hot or cold and you won’t have to worry about spills. Most bartenders will fill it with ice and water or a soft drink. With a straw, your ice won’t melt instantly while lounging at the pool. Better still, mugs are great souvenirs—buy one that sports your ship’s name from the gift shop.

~Pack a small flashlight to find your way around in the dark or in an emergency.

~ Personal 2-way radios are a great way to keep track of cruise companions, but set the volume low so you don’t disturb your fellow passengers.

~ A small air freshener will leave your bathroom area stink free and pleasant smelling.

~ Don't forget God - Remember that it's good memories you want to make so don't forget your morals. Make new friends, have a great time and be happy. Look at the sunsets and enjoy the beauty. At night, look up at the stars and say a little prayer and be thankful.

**************

Please Share YOUR Tips and Suggestions Below in the Comment Section!

**************

Cruise along and enjoy!...^_~

Karen

39 more days...

2010-04-13T00:00:00.041-04:00

A Royal Flush...

Fun on the Throne - Part II

You might recall a few days ago when Karen warned us of the perils of travel. She included the advice "...never flush the toilet while sitting on it! ...you can really be injured seriously."

We followed up on this claim with an investigation (42 more days...), however, the results were inconclusive. While there is video evidence witnessing the incredible power of cruise ship toilets, there is also video evidence of at least one survivor. It seemed that it would be necessary to perform our own little experiment in order to set the record straight.

And so I present to you, in the spirit of Mythbusters, 'Kev and Dad's Cruise Ship Toilet Experiment'.

Apparently Karen's warning is worth heeding!

Don't flush your life away!

I hope that you'll excuse me now. I have to go pick Kev up at the sedimentation tanks...

~ A MONTH AND A WEEK TO GO ~

39 MORE DAYS!!!
(Don't forget to rate the video on YouTube!)

40 more days...

2010-04-12T00:00:00.044-04:00

The Finance Report:

Another lead change!

There has been another lead change in the great O:PR Euro Shootout! Mo has moved back into first place, and by the same micro-margin that Nana had last week... 0.04 EU! It's a real nail-biter, folks. The $US is in a good range for the upcoming cruise. But something tells me that the duel is not yet over. Stay tuned and find out.

CONTEST UPDATE:

Mo steals the lead back from Nana, who just last week had wrestled it from Mo, who the previous week swiped it from Nana!

The winner of our contest (Grand Prize = 1 euro!) will be the one with the closest guess on May 21st, 2010.

_______________________________

THE WEB REPORT:

62 Countries...

Hey, that's alot. 62 countries. The same ones as last week, but still. I'm just saying.

Nana on the Titanic:

20,887 Views!
Another milestone! Nana has achieved 20,887 views on YouTube, as of Friday... Who would ever have thunk it? More than 20 thousand views... (Sunday night update: 21,640)

Nana's popularity by country

What must they think? We can only wonder, unless of course they take the time to write and request a free postcard!

_______________________________________________

FREE Postcards!

Postcard #1: One Million Postcards

Postcard #2: Pope Benedict

Postcard #3 - #5: Still available

40 MORE DAYS!!!

(Offer void to family, and friends...)

41 more days...

2010-04-11T00:01:00.016-04:00

How to Get Some Sleep on a Plane

**************************************************

We will be on an 8(+/-) hour "red eye" flight from Newark Airport - departing at 7:15pm on May 22 and arriving in Barcelona, Spain at 9:15 am. on May 23rd. To make the best of this long journey, a few "creature comforts" can go a L-O-N-G way! Comfortable clothes, socks/slippers, small pillow, snacks, toothbrush/gum/mints, ear plugs, sleep mask, music, just to name a few. What items do YOU plan on packing in your carry on bag to make the trans-Atlantic flight an enjoyable one?...will you be able to sleep?...Please share your comments below. The following video has some good tips while other tips are just plain silly...I mean, who has room to pack a "body pillow"!

*Disclaimer: Dear brother, Mike...hope you are not offended by the opening image...but I couldn't resist after Mom told me about your business trip...you being exhausted, dozing off on the flight back, and the woman next to you poking you and saying, "Sir, SIR! I am not going to listen to THAT the whole flight!...made me laugh!

41 MORE DAYS!!!

Cruise along and enjoy...^_~

Karen

42 more days...

2010-04-10T00:00:00.045-04:00

A Royal Flush...

Fun on the Throne

You might recall that just a few days ago Karen warned us of the perils of travel, which included the advice "...never flush the toilet while sitting on it! ...you can really be injured seriously."

Wow! Could this be true?!? I have flown on airplanes before, and while the toilets there are rather unpleasant, loud, and odd, I had never felt threatened by the flush action. In fact, Mythbusters did a piece on the danger of airplane toilets (the myth was busted), but never on cruise toilets... This warranted more investigation!

A brief search of the Internets yielded some compelling evidence! Allow me to present 'Exhibit A':

(The best part begins about 40 seconds into the video)

Well, it sure looks powerful, and potentially dangerous. Returning to the Internets for more searching resulted in the discovery OF AN ACTUAL EXPERIMENT!!! (Please note: While there is nothing graphic, nor overly disgusting, these teenagers do use a little potty-mouth in the background. Be forewarned, and mute your sound if you have never heard those words before...)

So apparently, it can be survived... But would YOU take the chance?

I mean you, Nana... Would you do it for a buck? We could post it with the Titanic video!

Just wait until Tuesday, when we create our own little experiment...

Muh-hah-hah-hah-hah-hah!!

~ SIX MORE WEEKS ~

42 MORE DAYS!!!

43 more days...

2010-04-09T04:44:00.201-04:00

Cruising with Cyn
Collection of useless information circuitous to the OPERATION: Poisson Rouge Adventure.

This 6 week installment of Cyn's Cinema, we will be exploring movies that have been filmed in the regions we will be visiting. Take some time off from your everyday life and watch a movie with scenes from Barcelona, Naples, Rome, Florence, Nice and Toulon.
Let us know if you've seen any of these movies and what your thoughts are.

Title	Year	Genre	IMDb Rating	Staring
GoldenEye	1995	Action, Thriller	7.2	Pierce Brosnan, Sean Bean, Judi Dench
Synopsis:	James Bond teams up with the lone survivor of a destroyed Russian research center to stop the hijacking of a nuclear space weapon by a fellow agent believed to be dead.
Sightings:	Alpes-Maritimes, France (James Bond car race with Xenia Onatopp) Art Deco Palm Court, Park Lane Hotel, Piccadilly, London, England, UK Bouches-du-Rhône, France (James Bond car race with Xenia Onatopp) British Sugar Factory, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, England, UK (exteriors: end of the tank chase) Brompton Cemetery, Fulham Road, West Brompton, London, England, UK (exterior Russian church of Our Lady of Smolensk, St. Petersburg) Casino Square, Monte Carlo, Monaco Casino de Monte Carlo, Monte Carlo, Monaco (casino scenes) Courtyard, Somerset House, Strand, London, England, UK (Central Square, St. Petersburg) Draper's Hall, Throgmorton Avenue, Broadgate, London, England, UK (interiors Russian defence ministry council chambers in St Petersburg) England, UK Epsom Race Course, Epsom Downs, Epsom, Surrey, England, UK (James Bond meets Jack Wade/St Petersburg Airport) Fort Antoine, Monaco-Ville, Monte Carlo, Monaco (James Bond views the Admiral and Xenia Onatopp boarding the Manticore yacht) France French Riviera, Alpes-Maritimes, France Grand Corniche, Alpes-Maritimes, France Grasse, Alpes-Maritimes, France (James Bond car race with Xenia Onatopp) Greolieres, Alpes-Maritimes, France (James Bond car race with Xenia Onatopp) Greolieres-les-neiges, Alpes-Maritimes, France (James Bond car race with Xenia Onatopp) Hotel de Paris, Place du Casino, Monte Carlo, Monaco Kings Langley, Hertfordshire, England, UK Langham Hotel - 1c Portland Place, London, England, UK (Grand Hotel Europe) Leavesden Aerodrome, Leavesden, Hertfordshire, England, UK (studio) (tank chase) Leavesden Studios, Leavesden, Hertfordshire, England, UK (studio) London, England, UK Monaco-Ville, Monte Carlo, Monaco (James Bond views the Admiral and Xenia Onatopp boarding the Manticore yacht) Monaco Monte Carlo Bay, Monte Carlo, Monaco (Xenia Onatopp steals the stealth Tiger helicoper) Monte Carlo Resort and Casino, Monte Carlo, Monaco (Monte Carlo scenes) Monte Carlo, Monaco Nene Valley Railway, Northamptonshire, England, UK (exteriors: rail scenes - Alec Trevelyan's train depot - exploding train) Nene Valley Railway, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, England, UK (exteriors: rail scenes - Alec Trevelyan's train depot - exploding train) Park Lane Hotel, Piccadilly, London, England, UK Port d'Hercule, La Condamine, Monaco (Xenia Onatopp steals the stealth Tiger helicoper) Queen's Stand, Epsom Race Course, Epsom Downs, Epsom, Surrey, England, UK (James Bond meets Jack Wade/St Petersburg Airport) River Thames, London, England, UK (MI6/M's Office) Rooftop Theatre, Fort Antoine, Monaco-Ville, Monte Carlo, Monaco (James Bond views the Admiral and Xenia SIS Headquarters - 85 Albert Embankment, Vauxhall, London, England, UK (MI6 Headquarters/M's Office) Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire, England, UK Somerset House, Strand, London, England, UK (exteriors: Central Square, St. Petersburg - Jack Wade's blue car breaks down) St Sofia's Greek Cathedral, Moscow Road, Bayswater, London, England, UK (interior Russian church of Our Lady of Smolensk, St. Petersburg) Thorenc, Bouches-du-Rhône, France (James Bond's car race with Xenia Onatopp) UK Vauxhall Cross - 85 Albert Embankment, Vauxhall, London, England, UK (MI6/M's Office)
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels	1998	Comedy, Crime	7.1	Steve Martin, Michael Caine
Synopsis:	Lawrence and Freddie are con-men; big-time and small time respectively. They unsuccessfully attempt to work together only to find that this town (on the French Mediterranean coast) aint big enough for the two of them. They agree to a "loser leaves" bet. The bet brings out the best/worse in the two. Interesting twist at the end. Synopsis written by Rob Hartill
Sightings:	Alpes-Maritimes, France Antibes, Alpes-Maritimes, France Aéroport International, Cannes, Alpes-Maritimes, France (Beaumont-sur-Mer Airport) Beaulieu-sur-Mer, Alpes-Maritimes, France (Beaumont-sur-Mer) Cap Ferrat, Alpes-Maritimes, France Cap Ferrat, Gironde, France Cap d'Antibes, Antibes, Alpes-Maritimes, France Côte d'Azur, France Fondation Ephrussie de Rothschild, Villa Ile-de-Frances, Cap Ferrat, Alpes-Maritimes, France (Beaumont-sur-Mer art gallery) France French Riviera, Alpes-Maritimes, France Gers, France Gironde, France Grand-Hôtel, Cap-Ferrat, Alpes-Maritimes, France (Beaumont-sur-Mer Grand Hotel) Juan-les-Pins, Antibes, Alpes-Maritimes, France (Beaumont-sur-Mer harbour) Musée Rothschild, Cap Ferrat, Alpes-Maritimes, France Nice, Alpes-Maritimes, France Rotonde, Beaulieu-sur-Mer, Alpes-Maritimes, France (Beaumont-sur-Mer Casino) Studios de la Victorine - 16 avenue Edoard Grinda, Nice, Alpes-Maritimes, France Villa Hier, Cap d'Antibes, Antibes, Alpes-Maritimes, France (Lawrence Jamieson's luxurious digs) Villa Ile-de-Frances, Cap Ferrat, Alpes-Maritimes, France Villefranche, Alpes-Maritimes, France Villefranche, Gers, France Villefranche-sur-Mer, Alpes-Maritimes, France
The Big Blue	1988	Drama, Romance	7.4	Rosanna Arquette, Jean-Marc Barr, Jean Reno
Synopsis:	Enzo and Jacques have known each other for a long time. Their friendship started in their childhood days in the Mediterranean. They were not real friends in these days, but there was something they both loved and used to do the whole day long: diving. One day Jacques' father, who was a diver too, died in the Mediterranean sea. ... Synopsis written by Reiner Rosin
Sightings:	Agia Anna, Amorgos, Small Cyclades, Greece Alpes-Maritimes, France Amorgos, Small Cyclades, Greece Antibes, Alpes-Maritimes, France Corsica, France France French Riviera, Alpes-Maritimes, France Greece Italy Kalotaritissa Bay, Amorgos, Cyclades, Greece (stranded ship) Le Grand Bleu Bar, Amorgos, Small Cyclades, Greece Manganari Island, Greece Marineland, Antibes, Alpes-Maritimes, France (Aquarium) Paris, France Taormina, Messina, Sicily, Italy (Diving Scenes)
An Affair to Remember	1957	Comedy, Romance	7.3	Cary Grant, Deborah Kerr
Synopsis:	Handsome playboy Nicky Ferrante and beautiful night club singer Terry McKay have a romance while on a cruise from Europe to New York. Despite being engaged to other people, both agree to reunite at the top of the Empire State Building in six months. However, an unfortunate accident keeps Terry from the reunion, and Nicky fears that she has married or does not love him anymore. Will he discover the truth behind her absence and reunite with his one true love, or has fate and destiny passed them by? Synopsis written by {jgp3553@excite.com}
Sightings:	Alpes-Maritimes, France France French Riviera, Alpes-Maritimes, France Villefranche-sur-Mer, Alpes-Maritimes, France
To Catch a Thief	1955	Crime, Mystery, Romance	7.5	Cary Grant, Grace Kelly
Synopsis:	A series of ingenious jewelry robberies takes place on the French Riviera. The police suspect John Robbie - an expert thief who was known as "The Cat" before he retired from crime. Robbie enlists the help of an insurance man to guess where the real thief will strike next. He befriends wealthy widow Jessie Stevens and her attractive daughter Frances. Synopsis written by Col Needham {col@imdb.com}
Sightings:	Maritimes, France Cannes, Alpes-Maritimes, France Côte d'Azur, France France French Riviera, Alpes-Maritimes, France Hôtel Carlton, Cannes, Alpes-Maritimes, France Villefranche-sur-Mer, Alpes-Maritimes, France